Are you special?

Remember: It took a Man to suffer extreme pain and death to pay for your sins. That is how special you are.

'Medyo-crity'

In my alma mater, there are some instructors who have stayed in the college circles, working as staff, serving the college for several years and still stagnant. I mean, no promotions at all.

Somebody asks the academic council about his currect status, "I've been here in the city college for a couple of years, but why am I not promoted?"

When I heard that statement (from a friend), I also questioned why. I believe he has been their in the institution since his no-wrinkle years. But why wasn't he promoted?

Pondering over the issue, I knew, there are many employees round the country who asks that, too. But later, I remembered what Mr. Francis Kong said in a seminar on "Life's Winning Points". The same why-am-i-not-promoted? question was asked to the boss, Mr. Kong told us. The boss eloquently answered, "Why? What have you done?"

A slap on the face of the employee.

The thing is, he was jammed in the so-called "medyo-crity" in his line of work (as what Rex Resureccion wrote in his book 'Called to Excel'). Yes, he was there for almost half his life but has he done anything excellent for the college? Has he been a model - of change, of leadership, of concern, of responsibility and of sacrifice? Not at all, I guess. (I once worked with him when I was still part of the student government.)


While living in a great nation of pinoys, considering those Filipinos on international bright lights, mediocrity is still prevalent. It's everywhere. Even in our own areas, our friends, our barangays, our cities. I bet all of us have heard people saying "puede na yan", "okey na yan", "medyo ok na rin". We're contented being mediocre and this is a prelude on how mediocre we will be as professionals and that will later determine a mediocre country.

Let us not make ourselves "medyo-ogres" of the next tomorrows. I believe, mediocrity as anti-excellence concept, is a villain of winners. And as we strive to be winners for our own families and friends, we need not to indulge in "puede na" but into "pulidong pulido". Let's do everything accurately and let our ideas and thoughts produce positive results for the netizens and citizens of our nation.

Thanks to Rex Resureccion along the many Pinoys who advocate for excellence in the country. You deserve ovation.

So, employee, "What have you done?"

Yesterday with Francis Kong

Aethen, salamat sa pag tag mo sakin yesterday bro. The game was some kind of helpful kahit na game lang yun. It made me discover a bit more of myself.

Danica, "meconium stained" pala tawag sa condition ng niece ko. Thanks so much for the information most especially for helping us pray. Salamat sa pag answer mo ng game na "6 weird things about me."

It feels great, by God's grace, that everything turns to be alright even we're hard up financially these days. Hindi pa na pirmahan yung payroll nila Nanay. Si kuya ala pang sweldo. Anyway, pera lang naman yan eh. Importante, everybody's alright and the family's still muddling through kahit mahirap. Well, ganyan talaga ang buhay.

Me and my mom were in Bacolod City yesterday. Lolo (grandfather) Noning invited us to attend a seminar sponsored by the Fellowship of Christians in the Governement (FOCIG) at the Grand Regal Hotel, Bacolod City. He shouldered our registration (Thanks a lot, Lo).

On our way, I talked to Nanay how having my niche as a blogger in the triple W made me a much better individual. I have a venue to talk to bunch of bloggers who are really smart, accomodating and amicable may it be young people or those in mid-life. I also told her that this could also give me a good opportunity to make money later on. And she answered that it is really worth having broadband connection at home.

Exactly, nay. Thanks to you and to my elder bro who pays the 999Php every month. Don't worry, i'll help out if hired in the job.

At the seminar, i was overwhelmed with the chance since that was the very first time i listened to a world-class inspirational speaker and a God-fearing and very sincere author of 11 life-changing books as "The Early Bird Catches the Worm" and "One Day at a Time", Mr. Francis J. Kong.

Mr. Kong (www.businessmatters.org) tackled "Life's Winning Points" in the seminar. Let me share those with you.

1. Get a calculator and learn how to count.
I plead guilty about this because I, myself, don't know how to count - count the good things in life. I often get engrossed to counting criticisms and negative others in my life which are really not worthy of my time and it will only make me miserable. We got to learn how to count as the hymn sings, "Count your blessings, name them one by one." That makes life the happiest.

2. Enjoy the mid-life.
Though i'm not yet in that stage, i got to prepare myself for the mid-life worries and setbacks. Will you?

3. Enjoy your greatest rewards with your family.
We always got to remember that our family should be next to our God.

4. Feed your mind with good thoughts.
Avoid mind poisoning.

5. Be kind to people.
Always wear the smile. I often reiterate the quote "the difference between a good and bad day is your attitude."

6. Be a teamplayer.
No man is an island. Tie up with people who can help you through tough times.

7. Fly high and know where to land.
There have been people who told us "Fly high and reach for your dreams." But how do we land? Where will we land?

I hope it helped you, somehow.

The seminar ended with a book sale and book signing by Mr. Francis. Lolo bought "One day at a time" book 4. He said, he'll just let me borrow after him because we didn't have enough money to buy another one. lol It's better, isn't it?

Nanay, Lolo and I went home with new hopes. Blessed to be exact.

Sana magagawa kong habits ang mga winning points na yun. Kaw rin ha?