Become an Eagle

I love to write! I dreamt of publishing ten books before I turn 40. How will I do that? I don’t know yet.

I remember after I graduated, I wrote a book which is a compilation of the poems I have written during my college years made with a story. I was foolish then to present the manuscript to my favorite Filipino author Bo Sanchez and asked to publish the book during the break of his financial seminar I attended. This happened months after graduation in 2011 and I just turned 20.

I was enthusiastic and confident that he’d respond to my request on a positive approach because I know that my book is one-of-a-kind and many college students can relate to it.

I was wrong.

But looking back, I’m grateful that he didn’t publish it.

He said in his email,

“Hi Kevin,

Thanks for the book.

It shows your tenacity, your gift, and your confidence.

Your writing style is very easy to read, and that's very important.

Keep at it.

Don't ever loose those qualities--confidence, hard work, patience, and hope...

Because of them, I know you'll be a success.

Right now, my non-profit publications house, Shepherds Voice, doesn't publish other authors anymore, except "in house" authors.

I suggest you try other publication outfits.

Just google them and submit your manuscript.

Another option is to try self-publishing.

It's very big nowadays to do that.

Start a blog.  Get a following.

Give away eBooks to that following.

Praying for your success,

Bo”

Today, I realized that I was not a good writer then. That first unpublished book was a disaster. Who would want to buy a hard copy of that? Haha! I asked myself now, “Did I write that book?”

But I didn’t give up writing. I know that I have a long way to learn about it. I just have to write and write and write.

I’m not a born writer. I was not even a member of the school publication from elementary to college. But it gives me sense of fulfillment and joy everytime I get to write an article, wrestle with my thoughts and share my ideas.

I’m thankful that I have a mentor like Bo (through his books and seminars) who gave me an eagle advice not chicken’s.

Let me share with you a wonderful story.

Once upon a time, at a large mountainside there was an eagle nest with 4 large eagle eggs inside.

One day, an earthquake rocked the mountain causing one of the eggs to roll down to a chicken farm, located in the valley below.

The chickens knew that they must protect the eagle egg. Eventually, the eagle egg hatched and a beautiful eagle was born.

Being chickens, the chickens raised the eagle to be a chicken. The eagle loved his home and family but it seemed his spirit cried out for more.

One day, the eagle looked to the skies above and noticed a group of mighty eagles soaring. ”Oh,” the eagle cried, “I wish I could soar like those birds.”

The chickens roared with laughter, “You cannot soar like those. You are a chicken and chickens do not soar.” The eagle continued staring at his real family up above, dreaming that he could be like them.

Each time the eagle talked about his dreams, he was told it couldn’t be done.

That was what the eagle learned to believe. After time, the eagle stopped dreaming and continued to live his life as a chicken.

Finally, after a long life as a chicken, the eagle passed away.

In life, there are chickens who steal our dreams away. Sometimes it is tempting to believe what they’re saying is true.

Friends, you become what you believe you are. If you ever dream to become an eagle, follow your dreams, not the words of chickens.

Yourself is the Best Commodity

"Imagine that a Genie offers you any car in the world. The catch is that it is the only car you will ever own. What would you do?

You would read the manual ten times, change the oil twice as often as required, and you would take fastidious care so that that car remained the car of your dreams forever.

Think about what this tells you about your body.

You get only one mind and one body–the same ones you will have at 20, 40, 60, etc.

Take care of them and maximize their potential. It will be too late to take care of your body and mind (and car) later on. You can maintain them, but it is hard or impossible to undo big mistakes or negligence later on. You do not want to end up with a wreck on your hands.

Your main asset in life is yourself.

Treat yourself as a valuable asset. I often explain to students that I would be willing to pay today for a percentage of the future earnings of good students.

If you value yourself, and invest in yourself, you will be worth a great deal through out your lifetime, both to yourself and to your community."

- Warren Buffet

The Twelve Gifts of Birth

Christmas is near! I'm excited about Christmas gifts! Whether it will come from our friends, family or a gift from ourselves, it does help to uplift and feel the spirit of Christmas.

I read an article that I want to share with you. It's about the 12 gifts we received when we were born.

Once upon a time, a long time ago, when princes and princesses lived in faraway kingdoms, royal children were given twelve special gifts when they were born. You may have heard the stories. Twelve wise women of the kingdom, or fairy godmothers as they were often called, traveled swiftly to the castle whenever a new prince or princess came into the world. Each fairy godmother pronounced a noble gift upon the royal baby.

As time went on, the wise women came to understand that the twelve royal gifts of birth belong to every child, born anywhere at anytime. They yearned to proclaim the gifts to all children, but the customs of the land did not allow that.

One day when the wise women gathered together they made this prophecy:

Some day, all the children of the world will learn the truth about their noble inheritance. When that happens a miracle will unfold on the kingdom of Earth.

Some day is near. Here is the secret they want you to know.

At the wondrous moment you were born, as you took your first breath, a great celebration was held in the heavens and twelve magnificent gifts were granted to you.

1. Strength is the first gift. May you remember to call upon it whenever you need it.

2. Beauty is the second gift. May your deeds reflect its depth.

3. Courage is the third gift.May you speak and act with confidence and use courage to follow your own path.

4. Compassion is the fourth gift. May you be gentle with yourself and others. May you forgive those who hurt you and yourself when you make mistakes.

5. Hope is the fifth gift. Through each passage and season, may you trust the goodness of life.

6. Joy is the sixth gift. May it keep your heart open and filled with light.

7. Talent is the seventh gift. May you discover your own special abilities and contribute them toward a better world.

8. Imagination is the eighth gift. May it nourish your visions and dreams.

9. Reverence is the ninth gift. May you appreciate the wonder that you are and the miracle of all creation.

10. Wisdom is the tenth gift. Guiding your way, wisdom will lead you through knowledge to understanding. May you hear its soft voice.

11. Love is the eleventh gift. It will grow each time you give it away.

12. Faith is the twelfth gift. May you believe.

Now you know about your twelve gifts of birth. But there is more to the secret that the wise women knew. Use your gifts well and you will discover others, among them a gift that is uniquely you. See these noble gifts in other people. Share the truth and be ready for the miracle to unfold as the prophecy of the wise women comes true.

 

Share your gifts,
Kev

It’s the first day of December

It’s the first day of December.

Do you feel it too? I’m talking about the Christmas breeze. It’s amazingly cold isn’t it? I believe that this is the season when men look more handsome than any time of the year. We can now open our mahiwagang baul  (old box), bring out and wear our jackets and sweatshirts. (Ha ha!)

Okay, women also.

We try to look better. And when we do that, we feel good about ourselves.

Isn’t that wonderful? Because when we feel good about ourselves, we attract more positive things and are now open for more blessings into our lives.

I’m also excited about Christmas meals. The Vegetable salads, fruit salads and pizzalads.

But it’s not just food, mind you. It is about being together. Relatives and friends from other provinces and other parts of the globe catching up. It’s going be a long-hour lunch and a long-hour dinner talking about relationships and all good stuff.

I believe this is what Christmas is all about.

Together thanking the Lord for the blessings of the year and praying for new blessings for the coming year.

I will write more about the Christmas season in my next article.

Advance Merry Christmas,

Kev

Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan): A Lesson of Humility

Were you a victim of the strongest typhoon in the world this year, 2013?

I live in North Luzon, way far from Visayas where the typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) struck. Experts claim that it is, so far, the strongest typhoon in the world for the year 2013.

I couldn’t agree more.

Even I was not one of those typhoon victims who not only lost their material things but some of their loved ones, I feel their feelings. I empathize with them.

I must admit that at this point, I have not been able to actually help the victims except my prayers.  While I’m writing this short article, I pray for the typhoon victims. I also pray for the people who flew to Visayas region to give support and service to the victims.

Right now, it is difficult for them to accept what just had happen. I can’t blame them. But I have a high regard for them being grateful despite of the catastrophe. They’re thankful for even the smallest help they received.

Why is that? Because “the greatest advantage of having nothing is that everything becomes a gain.”

And this thought is a lesson of humility.

That what we are now, our status, our achievements, all we have is the result of our hard work WITH the help and guidance of our Blessing Giver through our family, friends and mentors.

Friends, are you grateful?

You don't need to experience a destructive storm in your life.

Start appreciating. Deliberately decide.

Live a Grateful Life,

Kev

p.s. Do you have any idea on how to help the typhoon victims? How to raise fund? Please leave a comment. Thanks!