How much commitment do you give to what you do?
Do you give just enough? Or do you give all you’ve got?

Have you seen people who do their job just because they have to? You will feel how un-committed they are to their job. You see it on their sad zombie face. You can hear their words of complaint. You see their lack of commitment with the poor results of their work. You can even feel their negative energy. They have no commitment nor love for what they do.

I was watching an episode from America’s Best Dance Crew where the dance groups were asked to choreograph moves inspired by Michael Jackson. In that episode, I learned a new way to describe the power I feel when I watch Michael Jackson:

“When Michael Jackson makes a move, he gives his full commitment to it.
He puts his whole mind, soul and being into that one single move.
And then you can feel his love and energy.”

How can we experience this kind of commitment, love and energy in our daily life?

Have you seen security guards at a mall who greet mall guests with such gusto as if they had seen an old friend?
Or maybe waiters who serve you as if you were a member of the royal family?
Have you seen the dancing traffic enforcer who not only directs traffic but also puts in his talent for dancing? Aww!

If you haven’t seen people with such commitment for what they do, maybe you just need to open your eyes ;-) . Or open your heart …

Commitment is the choice you make and surrender to
with all your heart, mind, soul and might.
Just like David delivered the Lord’s orders, and danced before the Lord with all his might …

How about you? What do you do best?
What has the Lord called you to do for the world?

If you are a writer, do you put your heart and soul to every letter, word and sentence that you write?
If you are an accountant, do you put your mind and your love in making sure the numbers balance honestly and correctly?
If you are an employee, do you put your love into preparing that report on time and with the needed insights?
If you are a government worker, do you put your love into truly delivering the service that citizens need from you?
If you are a student, do you take in all the learnings both inside and outside the classroom?
If you are an entrepreneur, do you aim to give good value to your customers?

Do you want to see a person with commitment today? Tell the man on the mirror.

Be Blessed!

edWIN

Visit http://www.edwinsoriano.com/heart-wellness/dance-your-heart-out/ to see the dancing traffic enforcer.

It’s ironic that I’ve refer to it as one of my all-time favorite movies for almost 16 years now even if I missed some crucial parts of the movie. What was it about the movie that made it to my top list of movies?

Meeting Braveheart

I first watched Braveheart in 1995 . I watched it in SM North EDSA as a college student. That was the time when we did not yet have the discipline of getting in the “moviehouse” *before* the movie started. I realize now that there was a 15-minute segment at the start which was crucial in painting the picture of William Wallace – Braveheart, the lead character of the movie.

Braveheart

I always referred to Braveheart as a favorite movie. I thought it was because of the enormity of the battle scenes. I thought it was because I had a huge crush on Braveheart’s wife (played by Catherine McCormack ) who was executed early in the story but who continued on as a presence in Braveheart’s life all the way to the end of the story.

For many years, when I see a DVD sale at the malls, I would ask them if they had a copy of Braveheart. I wanted to watch it again. Only recently did I get hold of the DVD. And, knowing that it was a very long movie, only here in Baguio did I make the time to watch it. And watch it I did with my parents and siblings.

I told my mom that this was one of my all-time favorite movies. She asked me a very simple question: “Why?”. And for a moment, I was stumped. I replied: “I don’t remember”.

I guess I just wanted that to be that until I re-assess my reasons. I wanted to just watch the movie a second time and in full.

Braveheart’s story

“Braveheart” is based on the story of William Wallace, a commoner, warrior and a leader who led battles to free Scotland from a ruthless King. William had a traumatic childhood, being witness to a mass homicide of men, women and children. As his father and brother swore to wage a fight the ruthless king, William heard his father say: “It doesn’t matter that we win. What matters is that we fight.” His father and brother perished in the battle. William, a young orphan, was whisked away by his uncle to learn ow to fight with his mind, with his heart and with his sword.

William came back to his town and was re-acquainted with Murron, a girl connected to him in spirit since childhood. They wed in secret to avoid being harassed by the King’s soldiers. But they were found and Murron was executed as a way to make William come out of hiding.

William came out from the peaceful life and fought the king’s army viciously. With every battle, he gained more and more support from the different tribes of Scotland, but not without disappointments as some of his allies deserted him.

In the end, he was lured into a trap and executed in public at the courtyard of the sickly King. His execution was the completion of his life’s purpose. Until the end, his very being, and the principles that he would symbolize through the legends told of him — all these would outlive his life.

Braveheart in pieces

The first time I watched this film in the movie house, the execution scene was the point where the video went blank and all we can hear was the movie’s audio. We couldn’t tell what was happening except for the conversations we were hearing. We had to fill-in the movie with our minds.

Thus, the first time I watched the film, I missed the first 15 minutes and missed the images of the last 15 minutes. And despite missing out on these crucial scenes, I still considered Braveheart as one of my all time favorite movies.

Watching Braveheart on DVD and in full the other night, I had a chance to re-asses exactly why I was drawn to Braveheart. I loved the movie Braveheart so much, and the reason is summed up in one word: Freedom.

Freedom

Braveheart was unwavering, un-compromising in his fight for freedom. He knew he wasn’t just fighting for himself, he knew he was fighting for his countrymen. And he knew that it was freedom that mattered most to his countrymen — and it was precisely the hope of freedom that brought together all the brave commoners to fight alongside Braveheart.

Countless times Braveheart was bribed, offered a compromise, dissuaded and discouraged. But he kept headstrong, lifted himself up from the heartbreaks of being abandoned – his wife murdered and allies turning away from him. His bottom-line was crystal clear: Freedom. And, even when faced with death by execution, he knew very clearly how he needed to be in his fight for freedom. Resolute, true to himself, true to his principles, true to his purpose.

It was this character in Braveheart that kept this movie at the top of my list for the past 20 years. Imagine the impact of the movie on my young mind. Despite not catching the critical start and finish of the movie, I considered Braveheart one of my favorite movies.

Bringing it home

What does this movie mean to me now?

What is it that I live for? What is my purpose in life? If I could pursue my purpose with such clarity, unwavering, un-compromising, I feel I would be living my life in utter bliss.

My friend, what is it that YOU live for? What is YOUR purpose in life?

Fortunately for me, I have become aware of my purpose. This clarity of my life purpose is a gift I received with the help of the Heroic Leadership Seminar.

Now, to pursue my life purpose day by day and hour by hour, that is what I am working on.

I first met Captain Lim in 2005 when I was a student in his elective class in AIM. The class was called Sources and Uses of Power or SUPR.

He sent a preparation e-mail with a set of questions for us to answer before our first meeting. From that email alone, I could tell that this professor means business. I was expecting to meet a middle aged military man with a matikas built and a stern face.

I was surprised to find a very old man coming into the class. He was dressed in a colorful barong tagalog, had white hair, thick eyeglasses, a wrinkled face with a prominent cheekbone and jaw and he walked with a fragile but determined stride. Then he spoke with a quivering voice and his face lit up with a smile. 

This was far from what I was expecting and wondered what it is I could learn from this man. The surprises didn’t stop there. He whipped up his digital camera and started taking photos of his students. He explained it’s his way of remembering our groupings and our faces and names.

Wow, an 85 year-old professor making use of a digital camera in class. This guy’s way beyond his peers who, I’d think, would be now tired of learning new things. We will get along just fine :-) .Captain Lim, was a learner. I was too and I was ready to learn from him.

Captain Lim’s classes were extremely powerful and engaging. He brought into the classroom the kinds of insights that are gained only through a lifetime of experiences. He challenged our way of thinking, asked us questions that increased our awareness of other points of view.

One way he conducted his classes was to bring in a resource person for the class to “dissect”. One time we had Solita Monsod. He presented to the class Ms. Monsod, described to us what she does, her expertise, her background. Then he would tell us to “use” this resource – Ms. Monsod. To pick her brains and to gain something that specifically benefits our own individual interests and agendas. That was exciting having such a strong personality for us to dissect, a powerful learning experience.

Another way Captain Lim conducted our class was to engage us in an intellectual team effort. He would give us a case to study a few nights before. And when we came into the class, he would ask us to write down on a piece of paper our answer to this question: “What do you want to learn about the case today?” And by this question, we students would become more focused on what learnings are truly important to us. The more interesting part of the discussion is yet to come.

After each of us writes down our learning objective, he would ask for a volunteer, say Mr. X, to share to the class what he wants to learn. After clarifying with the class whether we understood what Mr. X wanted to learn, Captain Lim would address the class saying: “Okay class, our job now is to help Mr. X gain answers to his questions.”

What would ensue would be a highly charged discussion. It was a team effort. The way I describe it is: it was as if I was in an action movie, in the middle of the action and slugging it out, not just a spectator in a movie. We were learning from each other trying out each other’s opinions and discerning them against our own. This was team learning at its best.

Captain Lim, my mentor

My relationship with Captain Lim gained ground the first time I had lunch at his Tagaytay residence. He gathered our group of around 12 students, we had a sumptuous meal at his Tagaytay home.

Towards the end of the term, I was called in by Beth to meet Capt. Lim. Capt. Lim told me that he’d like to continue meeting with me over lunch or coffee every few months or so. I was delighted by the idea. Here was a man who enthralled me with our class discussions and he was inviting me to spend more time in a mentoring relationship. What an honor!

In the span of 5 years between 2005 to 2010, we would hook up with each other every few months. Sometimes he would call me, sometimes I would call him. I was working at Cavite for three years and there were times when I was invited to sleep over at Tagaytay on a weekend.

He usually would get some help from me in learning something about his computer or the Internet. We’d spend an hour on his computer learning something new like Google Earth. He had fun browsing the satellite views of his Pasay or Tagaytay home and other significant places of his life. Perhaps it was a familiar feeling for him having seen things from above as a pilot. To me, it was utterly amazing how a man of his age maintained the innocent delight of learning new things and growing from it.

We had animated and engaging conversations over dinner and maybe some scotch after. We covered a wide variety of subjects. We would talk about life in general, plans, dreams, learning and teaching, our travels, managing work and people, setting goals, real estate, finances, remittances, OFWs, the Philippines, politics, kids, family life and even love life.

Captain Lim, my friend

Yes, Capt. Lim was a friend and confidante as well in a time when I was down, depressed, discouraged. He was there as a steady friend and mentor who listened. He gave me advise and I knew it was precious coming for a man who had lived a full life. I always came off from those conversations inspired and renewed. I felt reassured. Oftentimes he believed in me and what I can achieve more than I believed in myself.

Captain Lim, my mentor, my friend,

for your kindness, the insightful conversations, the mischievous or reassuring smile,
for the life lessons you shared over a bottle of scotch,
for your instrumental contributions to the building of our beloved country,
for helping me discover, by your example, the many great things we can do in this life,
for believing in me more than I believed in myself,
for the friendship,
and for all the love that you shared through your wonderful family, your wonderful work and your wonderful life,

I honor and thank you, Captain Lim!

Last night, I was in a meeting with Robi of La Maison at Greenbelt 5 in connection with a raffle sponsorship for Runners’ Runner. Midway into the meeting, a petite lady in her 40’s walks in with a couple of shopping bags and her humongous black handbag, as is typical for women who bring along their laptops nowadays. She dropped by the resto to get some take-home food and was planning to leave immediately.

Robi introduced me to the lady named Jhet, adding that Jhet is one of the owners of La Maison and that she’s an author. And then I recognized her!

Jhet is Juliet Torcelino-van Ruyven
author of “The Tale of Juliet – You have the power to change your life”
2007 #1 Amazon Bestseller for Biography

Juliet van Ruyven and Ka Edong - a serendipitous encounter

I had seen Jhet before, and I began recalling how, where and when I had seen or read about her. I told her I knew about her story, and was half embarrassed to tell her that I didn’t get to read her book yet. As I continued to rattle off a few places or events where I might have encountered her, we later figured out that I saw her first as a guest of Bo Sanchez in one episode of Preacher in Blue Jeans .

Juliet and I had found multiple levels of connections within the first few minutes. You know how there are some acquaintances with whom you instantly click with? As if they were an old friend, or a long lost buddy. That’s how it was like exchanging stories with Jhet.

When Jhet learned that I was into running and blogging (Jhet’s daughter, Michelle, runs too; Jhet is looking at starting her blog), she started to declare to me that: “The universe brought you to me!” It’s the law of attraction at work, added Robi. Here was Jhet wanting to get started with blogging, and here I am, a blog coach who so happened to be in her restaurant and meeting her with some guidance from above – serendipity!

We could do some great things together!

And everything just synced up between Jhet and I in the first evening – one unexpected serendipitous meeting of minds and souls. “Kindered spirits”, Jhet mentioned. My meeting with Robi had to be cut short, my time with Jhet had to be cut short as well due to prior appointments.

We agreed to meet again on Tuesday evening.

A second encounter with Jhet

On Tuesday evening, I made my way to Jhet’s condominium. We had dinner at nearby Cibo at Rockwell. We started sharing stories about what we’re doing these days – as if we were old friends and just catching up (maybe our souls are old friends).

We started sharing about our passion to help Filipinos, about our life stories and moments of inspiration. We talked about having so much to write about, so many stories to share to the world. We talked about businesses and investments. We talked about Timbaland, Timberlake and Jojo.

We talked about travelling, and technology and twitter and live mobile video streaming. We talked about blogging.

We talked about the Philippines and poverty and rising up to prosperity. I told her about how affected I was watching a few seconds of a documentary that had a child saying: “Ang gusto ko, tunay na buhaaaaaaayyyyy.”

We talked about Jhet’s encounters with the common Filipino. Jhet shared about how so many people have approached her or contacted her telling her how her book has made an impact in their life. We talked about her daughters and making a visit to Jhet’s hometown in a poor area in Batangas.

Oh we talked about sooo many things. And the stories just flowed on and on.

We did have a mission, and that was to get her started with blogging. So we connected to the internet and looked into the blog that a friend had setup for her. We focused on the critical few things that she needed just to get started blogging via WordPress.

She’ll be leaving the Philippines and will be in travelling for a series of engagements around the US and Canada. It was absolutely amazing spending time with Jhet the past two evenings. I am honored to have met such a wonderful person who has touched the lives of many through the stories of her life enshrined in a book.

It was another of my experiences with One-ness – a strong connection to another person, and becoming one in feeling, one in intent, one in laughter and delight, one in understanding, one in purpose, one in shared experience.

Jhet gave me copies of her books (there’s a Filipino translation version too!). Siyempre, hard bound at may personalized autograph ang natanggap ko! I’ve got some reading to catch up with ;-) .

Dear Edwin,
Blessed to have met you.
Together let’s make a positive difference in the world.
Keep Soaring!
Love and prayers,
Jhet

Juliet signs her book for Ka Edong

Jhet is leaving the Philippines in a few days, thus we made sure to spend some time together before she left. Although in our minds, it would have been awesome if we had met 3 weeks earlier, I know in my heart that God’s timing is always always always perfect.

Thank you for the friendship, Jhet. Simula pa lang ito!

ka edong
serendipity knocked, I answered
www.edwinsoriano.com

I take a few moments to honor my tito with a few stories. Memories of my Tito Roy and what I learned from him.

Tito Roy was a presence in my family life at the early memories of my childhood. Memories of family gatherings are filled with images of Tito Roy’s laughter.

Among the very first lessons I learned from Tito Roy was a love for music. Tito Roy was a very good pianist, and the first pianist I met who played “wido” – playing by ear, self-taught. We had a 60-yearold piano at our ancestral home in Lingayen Pangasinan. With Tito Roy’s tender and joyful caress of the piano keys, beautiful music would chime out from this piano. And I, as a little boy of 6 years old, would watch Tito Roy, mesmerized with where all this beautiful music was coming from.

I remember how Tito Roy taught me and my kuya Eric how to play Chopsticks. Gently, patiently, he taught me the rhythm and melody of Chopsticks that all first-time pianists would play. Once I had learned the first sequence, I would play my melody while he played the accompaniment that completed a lovely duet.

He later on taught me how to play one of his original compositions, “Roy’s Blues”. In contrast to the song’s title, it is actually a very joyful, playful tune, a real pleasure to play. I even taught the song to my elementary friends, some of whom brought the tune to a high school play. That was your song, Tito Roy!

Until this day, I still play tunes I learned from Tito Roy. I play Chopsticks, sometimes with my mom, sometimes with another younger pianist. It is my turn to teach a younger musician the beauty and joy of music. I’ve progressed now to playing the piano wido-style – just like Tito Roy did – listening to music or even just recalling a tune and starting to play the tune with the piano.

For this gift of music, I thank and honor you Tito Roy.

For joy, laughter and family

In our family gatherings in Lingayen, Baguio or Las Piñas, there would be three of us families – My father’s and his two sisters’ families: Sorianos, Buñags and Usshers, three sets of parents and a brood of 9 cousins (and today, a brood of 9 apos). In these gatherings, we’d always play games and sing songs, sometimes a little children’s program or a magic show. Tito Roy was always one to start up the games. Tito Roy brought in the laughter and cheer to our family gatherings with games and songs like “Lu lula lu, lula lula lula lu!” and that siopao song. Fun times!

For the fun times in our family gatherings, I thank and honor you Tito Roy!

A loving presence

In circa 2006, I was going through a lot of challenges in my life. Tito Roy and Tita Helen had a dinner date one evening, just the three of us. That evening, I shared with them the journey I had been treading for the past many years. They were there to listen to me and understand with their hearts and minds what I was going through. Both Tito and Tita were deeply affected by what I was sharing. They were with me in my sorrow and pain. And through our entire 3-hour conversation, I felt their love and reassurance.

They were with me in the hope and the joy of what was yet to come in my life. They were with me in the full trust in our Lord that all these are all in God’s plan. They were with me in prayer that everything was going to be okay.

For your empathy, reassuring words and loving presence in my life, I thank and honor you Tito Roy and Tita Helen!

For your gift of love

When I heard of Tito Roy’s health condition more than a month ago, I was deeply disturbed. At the same time, I was somehow very trusting as well of God’s plans for Tito Roy. Tito Roy had a very strong faith in the Lord. He has always a worker in God’s vineyard ever since I could remember. And I somehow knew that Tito Roy had the best health and life insurance anyone can get. This was already provided by the vineyard owner, our one God, whom Tito Roy had served with his life. I had the opportunity to spend time with Tito Roy when he was undergoing some physical healing at the hospital. The very first night I visited him, I walked down the hospital corridor looking for Tito Roy’s room. From 15 meters away, I saw a group of more than 20 people and I knew this group was there for Tito Roy.

When I saw Tito Roy he couldn’t speak because of the medical equipment strapped to him, including a respirator. It wasn’t easy seeing Tito like this, but I managed a joyful smile. This was, afterall, a sweet reunion with Tito Roy. I gave him a warm embrace and started talking to him, sharing some of my sunshine and joy. He looked at me deeply. At first, I wasn’t sure if he recognized me. Then he responded by scribbling on a small white board: “I am very happy to see you!” I am very happy to see you too, Tito Roy.

Through the few days and nights I spent with Tito Roy, Tita Helen, my cousins and their many friends at the hospital, I taught them a few tricks on how Tito Roy can continue to communicate more easily despite the physical challenges. Gradually, they learned to understand each other more deeply through hand gestures and by asking intelligent yes-no questions – some lessons I learned from charades and pinoy henyo. :-)

I’m also glad that many of Tito Roy’s friends had a chance to take home some of the maaaannnyyy loving messages that Tito Roy wrote for his many visitors. Funny that in his most physically limiting situation, Tito Roy was at his most “talkative” state. All out of love.

In the last days of his life, Tito Roy had found even more ways to express his love, through his scribbled notes, his belabored voice, through his loving embrace, through the warm squeeze of his hands and through his loving and expressive eyes.

In the last evening that I saw Tito Roy, he spoke to me and asked me to massage his feet. His legs had swelled from the fluid that had been building up in his body. I began pressing my fingers on one foot, steadily watching Tito’s eyes and face to see if he was feeling some relief. With my tender touch at the soles of his feet, I knew he was feeling better. This was one foot massage that I put so much love into.

Tito Roy,
these strong fingers that massage your feet now
were, once upon a time,
small and fragile fingers
that you held in your gentle hands
when you taught me how to play the piano
when I was six years old.

As I put in my love into this massage for my Tito, we both gazed into each others eyes. And, without words, we shared a moment of deep expression of love.

For all the love that you showered to your family, to our family, us pamangkins and apos,
For all the love that you showered to your Focolare family,
For all the love that you shared to all the people that you touched with your life and faith,
For your life that was truly a gift to our God,
I thank you, love you and honor you, Tito Roy!

We chose The Blind Side. Even if the movie is below the radar, barely knew it was coming, after reading the synopsis, I wanted to check it out. And we didn’t regret it for a minute.

The Blind Side is about a young big African American boy who was taken off from the streets one cold winter evening by a rich family (Sandra Bullock, husband and two kids). The family and their new found friend struggle through the stigma of other people’s prejudice. Prejudice against color, stereotypes, appearing “goody two shoes”, expectations, being stupid, acting “normal”.

Visit: http://www.theblindsidemovie.com/

The Blind Side Movie - Sandra Bullock, Quinton Aaron

Blind Side is about giving people a chance. Giving people a break. Sometimes, that’s all we need to get along better in life, just one break from someone who truly cares for us.

The movie is filled with inspiring scenes. It was such an inspiring story, and it was even more inspiring to find out that it was a true story!

But there’s one specific scene that strikes me most.

This big African American boy they call “Big Mike” appeared “spaced out”. It was as if he didn’t have a care in the world. He just trudged this earth as if there was nothing “wrong” or nothing “right” with the world. With all the violence, crime and poverty that Big Mike grew up in, Sandra Bullock’s question was, “how did he come out of it?”. How did he break free from all the bad things that was happening around him.

And the answer was in what Big Mike’s real mother taught him when he was a kid.

When Big Mike’s mom would do something bad at home, like sniff cocaine, the mom would ask Big Mike to close his eyes and pretend nothing’s happening. And when she’s done with her kalokohan, she’d go back to Big Mike and she’d say: “When I count to three, you open your eyes, and then BELIEVE that it is a beautiful world we live in.”

BELIEF! It’s such a powerful thing to believe very strongly with all your heart and mind in something.

What do YOU believe in?
Be aware of what you believe in, because your beliefs shape the world as you perceive it.

ka edong
dream, believe, survive! :-)

Best Day of My Life

Many thoughts cross your mind one hour before the beginning of an Ironman Triathlon (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run). Can I finish? Was my training plan sound? Did I do everything I possibly could to prepare myself for the day? What if I get a flat tire on the bike? What is my nutrition plan for the bike and run?

Self doubt is natural.

As I rode down the hotel elevator one hour before the beginning of Ironman Wisconsin , I overheard the following conversation between strangers:

Stranger 1 – “Good morning. How are you?”
Stranger 2 – “Best day of my life.”
Stranger 1 – <surprised by the reply, silence, apprehension for the Ironman race>
Stranger 2 – “Young man, make this the best day of your life.”

These simple 5 words from an anonymous stranger stayed with me for the next 11 hours 37 minutes and 12 seconds to the finish line. They were spoken without hesitation or rehearsal. They were spoken with wisdom, passion, and gratefulness. Ironman Triathlons have a way of magnifying yet simplifying life. There are only so many things in life you can control. You are 100% in control of your attitude. Your daily ‘self talk’ can be negative or positive. The choice is yours.

Stranger 2 turned out to be Frank Farrar, the former Governor of South Dakota and 79 year old Ironman Triathlete. Frank has competed in over 30 Ironman distance Triathlons and continues to compete. Thank you Frank for these words.

Steve Muller

Steve Muller is the President of a Wisconsin automotive sales and finance company. He is a 3 time Ironman finisher and 20 time Marathon finisher.

Thanks Kristine for sharing!

Ka Edong Singapore Marathon (Dec 2007)

ka edong
here’s to a lifetime of best days!

He has no arms. He has no legs.

But he is brilliant!
He has achieved financial freedom.
He has written books!
He is an inspirational speaker!

Nick Vujicic - www.lifewithoutlimbs.com

Truly, Nick Vujicic is an inspiration! Visit: Life without Limbs – http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/

Reminds me that no matter what challenges we face in our lives, God has a plan for all of us.
We are designed by God to excel and have a wonderful life, and be a great gift to our loved ones and to the world ! :-)

ka edong
purposeful