CREATING YOUR OWN FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH

I just read an article by Miniong Ordonez, one of the pillars of Philippine Advertising and Chairman of Publicis, an advertising group. He's 69 years old but when you see him in person he really does not look it.

He attributes this to attitude. He remarked that as one ages one must take pride in aging, but also do something to maintain one's zest for life. For him one of his latest sources of youthful attitude is a Suzuki Motorbike. It makes him feel like the rebellious Marlon Brando when he's on it!

His message is clear... if we just settle for being sedentary when we grow old then we really age.

There is a fountain of youth but it is within us!

DREAMING AND DOING THE IMPOSSIBLE

Our CEO has been exhorting us to aim for "no unhappy customers." I can understand the skeptical looks on the faces of our managers whenever he says we should do this...after all, this seems to be an impossible goal to achieve.

But what I like about it is that it's something worth going for. I'm sure that if we just get close to achieveing it we will not only have set a benchmark for our sister companies..we will have improved ourselves along the way.

Who would think that Jollibee would beat McDonald's at it's own game? It seemed impossible then...but if one convinces many to believe it can be done...it happens.

MINDSET: THE BIG DIFFERENCE

I watched the second part of National Geographic's INSIDE 9/11 last night, and although I couldn't help think it was US propaganda versus Al Qaida (after all the story was being told from an American's point of view,) still I believed it was wrong to take away lives indiscriminately, whether for revenge or whether in the name of Allah. ( So I would also not approve of the Crusades or the Spanish Inquisition for that matter.)

The episode ended with a striking parallel between the US mindset and the mujaheddin's, and it somehow explained why they weren't afraid of blowing themselves up (and others with them.) There was a shot of Osama Bin Laden making his way up a hill with another Al Qaida member. Tha narrator said that against the background of US artillery bombings, Osama Bin Laden was supposed to have quoted that:"We (the Al Qaida) love death. The US love life. There lies the big difference."

Some of the so-called "expert" commentators interviewed remarked that the success of 9/11 galvanized the Muslim extremists to carry on their jihad not only against the US but against the world. The movement would continue even if Osama were captured or killed because as they showed from footages of bombings in Spain and London, the movement has already spread worldwide.

THE TREMENDOUS POWER OF FAITH

I watched a documentary the other night on the inside story of 9/11. It revealed that as early as 8 years before the attack on the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, there were already indicators that radical Muslims were already plotting something against the USA in the belief that they were launching a jihad against the devil.

What really struck me was what the power of commitment to a cause or even one's faith could do. The men who carried out their suicidal mission believed they were doing something right and were willing to give up their lives for it. Except for one, the three others who flew the planes to their destruction went to the extent of learning how to fly planes. They found ways to get things done in spite of difficulties it involved and the danger of getting caught.

Because of commitment they got it done!

Another documentary I saw this time featured how the early Christians, by their faith in Jesus and his teaching on loving even those who persecute you,eventually shut down the Colosseum, the center of gladiatorial fights and Christian executions.

The story goes that because of the admirable faith the Christians had in rising again with Christ, the Emperor converted and did away with the games.

GIVING HAS ITS OWN REWARDS

Read from Late Lifer's blog about how he's been mentoring a 29 year old guy named Marcos set up his business and how it's taken off. Prescott revealed how he felt fulfilled about this experience and suggested to late lifers like him to engage themselves in mentoring.

I was rather inspired by this and resurrected the thought of teaching in College when the opportunity presents itself...or maybe I ought to start pursuing it. But I know what Prescott meant when he said he felt a sense of gratification. Seeing his mentee succeed most likely gave him a strong sense of usefulness at his age!

WHAT A WASTE OF PRECIOUS LIFE!

I heard over the radio this morning that a woman suicide bomber in Iraq blew herself up killing 6 other people and wounding many others.

I asked myself,what would really drive people to take their own precious lives and take others' lives with them?

Here I realized once again how one's mindset and beliefs affects one's behaviors. These suicide bombers may have reached a point where their ideology or programming may have led them to believe that the act of killing themselves and others,whether guilty or innocent,is justified.

There must have been a compelling reason why that woman may have done what she believed to be right, at the cost of her own life, but no matter how I look at it...it's a waste of precious life, and morally wrong.

If this act had been inspired by so-called religious teaching or by a tenet of faith,then that religion or doctrine must be misguided.

CREATIVITY TRIPPING

I've taken a renewed interest in drawing comics because of the project I'm working on for the 34th anniversary of my San Beda batchmates. The souvenir program which I'm supposed to do should look like a comic book, so I've been browsing through websites featuring Marvel Comic book covers which I still consider the best,(especially those done by my idol Jack Kirby,) hoping to get some inspiration from these masterpieces of cover art.

It seems this effort has had a pleasant side -effect! I found myself thinking up and doodling cover options and content for the program. I've also been daydreaming a lot of fantasy stories (the adult comedy and horror-fantasy type) which I've sketched on paper.

Yesterday, while walking along SM Megamall I found myself looking at people and concocting in my mind, stories of what could possible be going through their heads based on the expressions on their faces. For instance, I imagined that one guy who had a worried look on his face may have been late for an appointment...with a client?with a lover? One housewife-looking type must be thinking about where she was going to get money for expenses of her kids.

This went on as I passed by people. Made me realize there really is a wealth of stories around if you can just imagine them.

As a result of that creative trip I came up with story ideas. One which hit me while I was passing the video game center was about two teens who get sucked up in the video game they're playing and find themselves actually shooting live bullets at the enemy. Another (adult fantasy story) idea was about two sweethearts who snuck up in the moviehouse and have sex there not realizing they are being videotaped.They find their fotos at the marquee the following week as the double-feature.

When I returned to the office I hit on another idea: a designer of Magic cards falls asleep and his faerie creations walk out of his laptop. He has some wild hanky-panky with the faerie until she turns him into a creature that appears in the next Magic card edition.

Maybe I can make some money out of this...but just the exhiliration from the brief creative journey was a reward by itself.

REFLECTIONS ON A PICKLE JAR

I got one of those inspirational emails yesterday entitled: The Pickle Jar, which tells the story of how the writer's father took care of his future by saving small change which he placed inside a pickle jar. When he was put through college,the pickle jar which served its purpose disappeared from its usual place. The writer eventually got married and had a daughter,and one day at his parent's home he found the pickle jar back where it was,filled with coins.

It was his turn now to start filling it up.

Although we never had a pickle jar, I knew that Dad took it upon himself to provide for the future of all of us,his seven kids, the best way that he could. With his meager Army man's salary it is a wonder he achieved what he did.Well, of course, with a lot of help from Mom who budgetted the money.

We were never poor,nor were we deprived of the occasional luxuries in life either. But I know now that both Dad and Mom must have sacrificed a lot themselves, denied themselves of some luxury they would have wished so they would have the money to ensure our education, and with it, our future.

I don't really envy those who have the money so much so that they can travel to other countries frequently. Actually, I have the money! But I guess compared to ensuring my kids future, the luxury of travelling and vacationing takes the back seat.

Am I a less fulfilled man because of having denied myself these experiences? I don't think so.

As a wise woman told me once upon a time:"If it is God's will...it will happen."

There will be a time and a place for indulging in dreams and fantasies...but for now,it's time to fill up the pickle jar.

RANDOM THOUGHTS

* I read an article by former NEDA head Cielito Habito that most of our country's trillion peso budget (about 70% of it ) will go to so-called debt servicing. What's frustrating to know is that we will be paying for past government investments (e.g. the Bataan Nuclear Plant) that we never benefitted from!

* In my desire to get going with the cover design of the San Beda Reunion Souvenir Program,I've been reading stuff on how to draw comics,1 point and 2 point perspective and have started doodling and sketching again. Nothing like an ambitious goal to keep the adrenaline going and keep my day interesting. I've always realized the power of a vision, and it's the visualization of the completed project that's getting me pumped up! Fresh ideas for sitcomics just keep popping up!

* Last Saturday I finally met with Jack Dumaup, an ex-Juvenist, who is now active in the Youth Ministry of a born-again church. I admired his conviction and his zeal in sharing his experience of being born again. Now if only our priests could be that converted and zealous the Catholic church here would be a bit more alive!

REALIZING MY POTENTIAL

This morning I had a talk with a group belonging to SC Innova Holdings, a family-owned corporation with various businesses. They were looking for a consultant who would help them out with their growth and expansion concerns particularly in the area of training and development. While they were sharing (particularly Vic,who turned out to be one of the owners) I gave in my two cents worth of observations which must have impressed on Vic that I knew what I was talking about.

Towards the end of the meeting he said that if only I was available they'd like to hire me even on a trial basis.

It was a feel good moment for me and just affirmed that my experience in Jollibee does amount to something.

Anyway, if it was meant for me I know we will cross paths again in the future.

IS THIS THE LITTLE GIRL I CARRIED?

Today is Tasha's thirteenth birthday.

I gave her the traditional birthday spanking (13 whacks on the butt and 1 more for good measure) while she was just stirring after I woke her up and greeted her a Happy Birthday.

During my quiet time in the morning, I said a prayer for her and spent a bit of time reminiscing and realizing that time really has passed by quickly. I couldn't imagine that thirteen years have passed since that September morining when Ate Per entered the room in Cardinal Santos hospital and told me that Tash had been born and was doing OK.

Tash was inside the incubator when I first saw her. She was like a little princess sleeping under the drop light.

As if in a movie flashback I recalled how cute she was when she was a baby, and now how she has grown to be a pretty yet feisty teenage girl.

With the song:"Butterfly Kisses" playing at the back of my mind,I can't help but thank God,He gifted me with my little girl Tash.

SOME MORE LESSONS FROM LATE LIFER

I read another posting from Late Lifer and it got me thinking about setting up more family rituals.

He shared that he and his wife had activities like: date night,cocktails, sharing of stories from each other's day and reading of articles from newspapers.

I remember that before we moved to Paranaque, Jaja and I had started a Thursday night with the kids. We would go out to Brother's Burgers or order a pizza and have a late night snack with the kids. It was fun and memorable.

Now that they're growing up fast and aren't with us that often perhaps we ought to create more opportunities that we can be together.

THE SIMPLE KIND OF LIFE

Donabel,a former colleague at Jollibee, sent an email entitled:Cashing In,Opting Out. It was about former executives who decided to "retire" early from the rat race and get a life.

The common theme was that these people realized there was more to life than career,success and money. Family was important and most gave up lucrative jobs to be with the kids (the people who mattered.) One father used to have someone do the mowing of the lawn, but now he had fun doing it with the kids!

They also realized that their skills were still useful to other people and though they did not make as much money as before,they got a lot of fulfillment.

I recall the lyrics of John Denver's song: "Thank God I'm A country Boy!"

Well the simple kind of life never did me no harm
Of raisin me a family and working on the farm
My days are all filled with a simple kind of charm
Thank God I'm a Country boy

I wouldn't trade my life for diamonds and jewels
I never was one of them money-hungry fools
I'd rather have my fiddle, and my farm and tools
Thank God I'm a Country boy!

A REFLECTION: HUMAN BEING?HUMAN DOING?HUMAN BECOMING OR BEING/BECOMING HUMAN?

I've just had an activity-filled schedule these past two days.

Last Monday,I facilitated a strategic planning session with one of our Chowking stores that needed to turnaround, and yesterday I attended the Grand opening of our Pacific Star branch and attended FSC awarding ceremonies.

When I got home after each of these events I felt tired so I did some basic Yoga exercises to put myself at ease and help me relax.

This is my reflection:

I felt fulfilled I was able to put some hope in the members of the store that needed turning around. The franchisee was fired up about fighting it out in the market and if her spunk is an indicator,I'm optimistic they will succeed. After the session, I felt I had lived up to my title of "consultant."

My day was full yesterday with all the activities I had lined up. I also had a feeling of accomplishment though all I did was show up and give an inspirational talk or two.

But when I was also "doing" my Yoga exercises and feeling good from the stretching & relaxing, I also felt this was what living was all about. Life is also about just being still...we don't have to be doing something all the time!

My realization:

To be fully human...I have to do something.(There are talents,capabilities that were "gifted" to me...to be used for the service of my fellowmen)

To be fully human...I have to become the person I'm supposed to be.

To be fully human...I sometimes just have to stop and be still, and let life take its course.

YOU CAN'T CRASH COURSE GOLF

Yesterday I played golf with ex-seminary buddies at the Navy Golf Club. Since I hadn't played golf much less touched a club for over 3 years, I decided to hit some balls on the driving range before we teed off.

As expected I felt like a beginner on my first few shots but once I got my timing and rhythm I was starting to strike some balls cleanly. But it was what happened after practice that shocked me.

I started feeling aches and pains all over my body... my back ached,my arms ached, my legs felt like they were undergoing a cramps attack. It was as if there were muscles in my body that were awakened from their deep slumber and were now in a state of shock!

So going into our golf game I was already handicapped physically. To compound it all, I was starting to get a lot of exercise hitting balls from under trees, from the rough, from the sand so both my mind and body were getting tired though my spirit was still there. As I told my golfing partners, my mind was giving instructions on how to swing at the ball but my body just didn't seem to obey the instructions.

Lucky for me, my pitching around the greens and putting were OK, so I saved several strokes. Then after about 9 holes my game got going until about four or five holes. I drove the ball long, I picked the ball clean and did everything right until I got tired again!

So the moral lesson: Golf is a game that depends on muscle memory. If the muscles have los their memory...don't think you can shock them into remembering by subjecting them to a crash course...because in the end that's what you'll get... a crash! :-)

O YE OF LITTLE FAITH

James had been battling with fever yesterday and because of the ongoing dengue scare I couldn't help be concerned that he just might have gotten it!

When I checked his temperature this morning (I put my hand on his brow and felt his body) it was still a bit hot so I decided it would be better to bring him to the hospital and have him checked. At least if we knew he had it then we knew what we had to do.

In spite of my resolve though I could not help but feel worried so I prayed that James get well and hopefully did not have dengue. I was confident he had an edge because of his constitution but still it was better I play it safe.

It was a real struggle to be positive about the situation but somehow I managed to see this as a test of faith. I found out that if I let go fo my worries it was easier to trust God to do His job.

Fortunately, my doctor brother-in-law was around and when he took a look at James he said it was the flu. He prescribed some meds and said he'd check up on James later since he would be home during the day.

TOO MUCH FOCUS ON WHAT'S GOING WRONG THAN ON WHAT'S GOING RIGHT

This is in keeping with my effort to look at the bright side of life and develping a thankful attitude...

Last night, I read a piece on National writer F. Sionil Jose (dad of one of our ex-Juvenists, Eddie Boy Jose.) He said that he hopes for a revolution so that the Philippines can have the much needed change it needs. All our leaders up to now (with the exception of Magsaysay it seems) have just been looking after their own needs and maintaining the oligarchy at the expense of the poor.

Somehow my thoughts started turning towards negative scenarios... what if nothing really good came out of all the mess that's happening in the country today? I realized after this futile exercise in useless worrying that we live in a world where the focus is on what's going wrong,rather than what's going right.

I just read an article about self-proclaimed virgins in Hollywood and how these people are regarded as an oddity...and so are looked at with interest much like a specimen in a lab!

What if the media focused more on what's going right with the world?

What if the news was equated with "things that are going right?"

Maybe newspapers would not sell...but we would probably have a world with a better, more positive mindset.

THE SIMPLE JOYS OF LIFE

I watched "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" with my wife and kids yesterday. It was a delightful movie. I particularly liked the song intermissions by the Looba-loobas each time one of the obnoxious kids got eliminated through their own doing.

Then this morning, for the first time in so many weeks the sun was shining brightly and rain clouds were nowhere in sight.

I almost missed enjoying these simple gifts of life because my mind was wandering about...thinking of what I was supposed to do today, and the "busy stuff" I was supposed to attend to.

We don't really need to look very far to find happiness...it's all around us if only we look with a different eye!

August 15 is a significant day because this was the day ( 6 years ago) that I left Jollibee and found a life! :-)

THE FINISHING TOUCHES ON MY PAINTING & A REFLECTION ON FATHERING

I'm almost done with the pastel painting of the Madonna and Child (Theotokos Ikon) that I started about a month ago.As in past projects, I find myself instinctively slowing down at the last stages because once I'm done with a project I'll have nothing to do again.

I noticed too that when I do my paintings I don't really follow any rules as to what will make the painting look great. It's as if my hands and eyes (and experience) take over and tell my brain which color to apply and how light or dark a tone must be for a specific area.

And because I'm working too close to the painting most of the time I do not see the overall effect of the detailing I do until I step back and see the painting as a whole.

I'm going to post a photo of my masterpiece soon as I'm done. Right now it's looking just great, if I may say so.

This morning I caught a feature in Discovery channel where the male species was being talked about. The portion I saw talked about how fathers spent time with their sons watching sports (football/baseball) as a means of bonding. Also, it sort of taught the sons what being masculine was all about.

It just struck me that I have not really taken my sons out to watch ball games or sports competitions. Most of my bonding has been watching movies, malling,browsing thru bookstores,jamming with them and even having a cookfest with them. But, that (hopefully) does not mean I'm not being a good male role model.

Maybe, I ought to check.Hmmmm.

LESSONS FROM A LATE LIFER

I chanced upon a blog on MSN Spaces entitled Late Life Crisis in which Prescott, an 83 year old blogger shares his experience as a "late lifer." His basic thought is that the so-called mid-life crisis is nothing compared to what he's experiencing late in life.

I read through some of his entries and it just struck me that there were lessons to be learned from what he shared. One clear lesson was that if I still want to be around for the long haul,I have to train myself or maybe program myself to be active mentally and physically when I'm old and grey.

So I thought to myself, maybe I ought to keep up with my weightlifting program,Yoga exercises,guitar playing, gardening, painting and papercraft as a way of maintaining my mental health. And maybe too,keeping my outlook young (and my sex drive in high gear!) ought to tide me over I'm in my 90's! :-)