I was meditating this morning at Salcedo Park when a woman approached me and asked: “Can you give me money?” Hahaha! I told her to go away!!! (kidding!) After my meditation, the woman – Tweet Sering – came back from her walk and we chatted.

I know she was bothered by the flies hovering around us. I too was bothered by the flies especially during my meditation (at one point, the flies were on my face). I took this as a challenge as I recalled this video of Fly and Samurai.

And truly in my meditation, the flies disappeared.

When we stop, reflect, visualize, we can make problems turn into opportunities. And then the problems disappear.

ka edong

Yesterday, Sunday morning, I did a 3-hour long run around Makati from 4:20-7:20am. I started doing rounds in Ayala Triangle, then went out to do three loops on three sides of the triangle, like a three leaf clover.

I’ll call this route the Ayala Triangle Three Loop Clover.

The center of the clover is the Ayala Triangle. One loop goes out around Mandarin Hotel, Manila Peninsula all the way to Ayala cor EDSA then back. The second loop was around Salcedo Village passing through Valero, Tordesillas, Dela Costa. The third loop went through Greenbelt and Legaspi Village. (Thee loops Clover + 1 Ayala Triangle round = 11.03km; Repeat the loops or the triangle to get more mileage. Based on runningmap.com, my three hour mileage = 17.2km . That ain’t right! I need to re-map this, it’s too short.)

I was running before sunrise. At dusk, I was running through Greenbelt, passing by the chapel, the well-paved walks and the manicured landscaping of Greenbelt. For a change (from the past 1.5 hrs), there was silence. Wow, silence … I wasn’t hearing vehicles or horns or other people. I just heard my rubber shoes striking the pavement with every step and the birds chirping at a distance. That one minute of silence was a highlight in my run!

I entertained myself during the run by appreciating the cool morning air, early morning people on the streets, the trees, the quiet time. When the sun began lighting up the sky, I enjoyed the unravelling of the sky from deep grey-blue, then slowly lighting up to light blue and later orange and light golden brown. I like how the sky and the clouds reflect upon the glass facades of some buildings.

I interacted with some of our fellow runners, just giving them an acknowledging nod or greeting them good morning. I greeted the treeeees! I love trees! I enjoy it when a gust of wind blows down some leaves as I run past some of the big acacia trees. Sometimes I’d give the trees a high five, just touching their trunk with my fingers. Other times I pause and hold the tree, just feeling the positive energy from the trees.

I also said prayers. I said a prayer as I passed the home of my friend, Lawrence. I said prayers of blessings as I passed buildings of companies that have served our country well.

I enjoyed my solo 3-hour run. I’m back on track training for my marathon on March 17 – The Bull Runner Dream Marathon. What I like about my training is how it has helped me develop good waking-up habits. It has strengthened my “will power”, not needing to decide whether it’s time to get up or not. When the alarm sounds, IT IS Definitely time to get up, no second thoughts about it. ;-) I enjoy the energy after my run. And I enjoy the meditation and quiet time after my run.

All is well in the world.

edWIN

…(Jesus) said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” – Mark 6:31

I’ve been developing good habits through the years. Recently, I’ve been more deliberate and conscientious about it.

Everyday, I get up from bed and go out for a 30-minute run. After my run, I walk back home to cool-down. I pass by a nearby park where there are nice towering acacia trees and a children’s playground.

I sit down on a bench, close my eyes and then I rest my mind.

Enjoying the trees and cool air at Hyde Park, Sydney

Sometimes I think about what happened the day before. Sometimes I think about what I am going to do today. I always like thinking about what I’m grateful for.

And then I listen. I listen to what’s around me. I hear birds chirping, dogs barking, people walking by or bicycles passing. I hear cars, I hear someone sweeping leaves, someone whistling a tune.

And as I listen to what’s around me, I inevitably start listening to what’s inside of me. I start listening for God’s inspirations for me.

I’ve been blessed by this quiet time with the Lord. I get relaxed, rejuvenated. I become more focused, more purposeful. I let go of worries. I become more trusting and grateful.

And I become more open to receive inspirations from our good Lord.

Amazing Day!

edWIN

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.

Do you have a relationship where you resent the other person’s opinions, attitude, behavior or way of life? Are you annoyed by how some of your loved ones speak, what words come out of their mouth? Do you sometimes wish that they change so that they become more … more like you?

I’d like to share a few stories and beliefs that have helped heal some of the challenging relationships with my loved ones.

Twisted reflections of Ka Edong, Tony and Flor - I accept all of us regardless

A few months ago, I had a conversation with my father that expresses some of my deepest feelings about my relationship with him. It encapsulates how I have become a more loving son to my father.

Before that, let me tell you about my father and my relationship with him.

My father, Antonio D. Soriano, M.D. – protector or prisoner?

My father is a good man, 71 years young. As much as he knew best, he has provided well for his wife and children. He is a good doctor (an ophthalmologist; Eyes, Ears, Nose, Throat specialist) who has healed many people. He is a good brother, son, nephew, friend. My father continues to grow, learning new talents (learned to play the piano at age 60! continues to learn how to use the computer), reading books and applying the lessons, widening his point of view.

Despite these, I describe my father as being very careful. Veeeerrrry careful. Just to be straight-forward, I perceive my father as fearful. He has a tendency to keep inside his comfort zone, his safety zone.

For instance, one time we travelled to Bicol with family. My mom and I are very adventurous eaters. We wanted to try out the Pinangat and Bicol Express at a local resto. But my father vehemently wanted to eat within his comfort zone. He decided to eat at Jollibee because he trusted Jollibee’s cleanliness, and didn’t trust any other resto in the area.

My eye doctor dad has yet to see the beauty of the sunset

In another incident, I was driving home with my dad in Baguio when I saw how beautiful the sunset was. I searched for a good place to park in the cool Baguio air under the trees and away from the noise just to breathe in the wonderful colors of the sunset. When we parked, I showed dad how beautiful the sunset is. My dad just nodded. As I was appreciating the sunset, I realized my dad wasn’t looking. He just gave a courteous glance, but wasn’t watching the colors of the horizon as they turned blue, yellow, orange, fiery red and grey.

I asked him why he wasn’t watching the sunset. He said watching the sunset could damage his eyes. :-(

Back then, I felt sad, pity and some resentment for my father. His comfort zone has become his prison.

Experiences that keep people in the comfort zone

There are events and circumstances in my father’s life that have led him to be very careful. For one, he is a doctor. He is witness to thousands of cases of damaged eyes or ears, is familiar with how diseases can be passed on through un-sanitary daily interactions. More specifically, in my father’s childhood, my father was witness to his older brother’s fatal accident. My father and his brother were walking home after school when a bus backed up and run over my father’s brother. I believe this experience, more than any other single reason, is what has formed my father into a careful and (over)-protective person.

I completely understand that he wants to protect his life and the life of his loved ones. I just feel that growth has become limited by being over protective. After all, growth is right outside the comfort zone. 

My father’s comfort zone has become his prison.

Then my protector, Now my friend

In my youth, I used to be at odds with my father. I resented how he lived his life of being careful, to the extent of me feeling too constrained, as if my neck was being chained by my father’s rules.

I could hear all my father’s words of paranoia: “it’s not safe”, “not sanitary”, “you could get hurt”, “you might meet an accident”, “you might fall”, “nakakahiya (embarassing)”, “don’t do this”, “don’t do that”.

But through the years, my father and I have learned to have a mutual respect for how we live our lives. He is careful and I respect that even if I don’t agree with him at times. I am more of a risk-taker and my father respects that even if he doesn’t agree with me at times.

This brings me to my conversation with dad a few months ago.

Acceptance

He asked me to join him in their room because he had something to ask me.
He had held back on asking me for more than a year.
He asked me why I resigned from Smart considering that I had said I was doing something I was passionate about in Smart.

I was surprised that Dad had kept his question to himself of so long.
I realized it was dad being respectful of me, not wanting to impose anything on me, not wanting to offend me.

After answering Dad’s question, I told him a message that I feel was extremely important to my Dad.

I told my father:

“Dad, you can tell me anything.
There is nothing you can say or do that will destroy my relationship with you.”

I explained that I won’t necessarily agree or have the same opinion as his.
But Dad can be totally honest and open with me. I will not take offense at all.
Whatever it is.

In retrospect, what I told dad was my declaration of my unconditional acceptance.
I accept Dad regardless. ;-)
I respect Dad and all his feelings, opinions, thoughts.
They are his and he has total ownership and right of his feelings.

An Accepting Attitude

I believe that whatever we say or do at any moment in our lives, it is the best we know to do at that time in our lives.
By understanding this principle, I have become more forgiving and accepting of myself and of other people.

I also believe that our good Lord has His perfect plan all laid out.
If my prayers are not answered the way I want it answered and at the time I want it answered,
I’m okay with it, I accept it.
I know our good Lord has something masterfully planned for me.

I push on forward with my prayers, my dreams, my goals and keep vigilant for the guidance of my good God ;-) .

Have a day full of blessings!
edWIN

At a later time, I will write about the third of my three words: Worthiness. 

I attended The Feast yesterday. It was the second of four talks in the series “Overhaul: Change your life in 30 days”. The four talks: Purpose, Plan, Practice, Produce.

While Alvin Barcelona gave the talk, I was inspired to reflect about my own habits.

Success is not an Act but a Habit

Here’s an excerpt from The Feast newsletter from the Founder, Bo Sanchez:

Success Is Not An Act But A Habit 

Haven’t you noticed? 

Some people are always broke. 

Some people are always late. 

Some people are always making money. 

Some people are always on time. 

Some people always create happiness wherever they go. 

Some people always create trouble wherever they go. 

Some people always achieve their dreams. 

Some people never achieve their dreams. 

Why? 

Habits. 

Life is really about habits. 

What kind of habits do you have? 

- Bo Sanchez

What kind of habits do I have? Let me list a few habits I like:

1. Thinking positive, being positive
2. Being a disciplined driver and pedestrian
3. Writing a list of things to do the night before
4. Prioritizing by choosing my top 3 things I need to do for the day
5. Reading – books/articles that nourish my soul (Like Bo’s articles)
6. Reflecting, learning the lesson in all experiences
7. Writing – sharing my thoughts knowing that it will benefit other people
8. Spending time with people I love
9. Having meaningful conversations
10. Serving

My friend, what kind of habits do you have? List them down and tap yourself on the back. We DO have good habits, let’s be grateful for these good habits.

There are habits that I want to develop further.
Let me share the techniques I use:

1. Writing on my gratitude journal
   It’s important for me to nurture my soul. When I am grateful for what the blessings I’ve received for the day, grateful for what I’ve done for the day, I re-assure myself that God loves me as I am right here, right now. Rezza gave me a Gratitude Journal for Christmas and it will be my companion everywhere I go.
2. Being in bed by 11pm.
   I need enough rest to have a productive day.
   Some techniques I used in the past to develop this habit:
   - leave my laptop charger at the office. This limits my evening computer time to just 3-4 hours when I get home.
   - sound an 11pm alarm, turn it off only when I’m in bed.
   This time around, I will use my gratitude journal to wind down my day and put me in bed by 11pm. It’s my way of tucking myself in bed and reassuring myself that my day was productive and it was just the way my good God has planned it to be ;-) .
3. Top 3 priorities
   My day starts the night before. Typically, at the end of the day, I write a list of things I want to do for the next day. And then I prioritize. I identify my top 3 priorities.
   My guide question is: “If there were only three things I want to accomplish, what would they be?” I mark out the three things. Then I go to sleep and wake up with a clear direction for the day. I work on my top 3 priorities as early as I can in the day.
   What I want to do now is to start identifying my Top 3 on a weekly basis, monthly basis and yearly basis. Actually, my top goals for the year will be more like a set of 7 dreams for 2012. I will use my Novena to God’s Love for this list of goals.
4. Getting up right away when my morning alarm rings
   I’ve learned this habit when I was in Intel back in 2005-2008. I used a technique from Steve Pavlina.  In essence, the technique is to *practice* just like a dress-rehearsal. But practice the act during the day or evening when your mind is alert. What we’re developing is a routine for getting up when the alarm rings. (If you want more details about this technique, read Steve’s article . If you want to know about my experience, send me an e-mail.)
5. Morning Prayer
   Everyday in the morning when I wake up, I read my 7 dreams written in my Novena to God’s Love! With sincere belief and faith in the Lord, I fervently pray that my dreams are reality, and it’s just waiting to happen through God’s grace and by my actions guided by my good God.
   I also got myself a copy of  Didache . I use this to guide me in my daily morning prayer. I also thank my mom and my friend, Jun Bulos, for the bibles they gave me.

My friend, what habits do you want to develop this year? Write them down. Take a break from reading this article if you need to. Write down the habits you want to develop.

Here are my tips for developing habits:

1. Prioritize.
   Choose your top priority habits. Just choose from 3-5 habits to work on first.
2. Checklist.
   Make a daily checklist of your top habits. On a table, list your habits on the left column. On the header, write down from left to right the days of the week. I start with Monday, Tuesday and end with Sunday.  At the right most column, I write “Reward”.
   Each day that I accomplish my habit, I put a check mark. And then I reward myself at the end of the week. ;-) .
3. Minimum performance.
   I got this tip from Jack Canfield. Principle: It’s better to do some than do none.  If you’re developing a habit, it’s best that you do the habit consistently, even in the minimum level. For example, if you want to read a book as a habit, what is the minimum you would do each day? Say, for example, read 1 paragraph — that’s your minimum. If you aim to do your minimum everyday, you are more likely to do it consistently do your minimum without fail. Besides, you’ll find yourself doing more than your minimum as the days go by.
4. Have fun.
   Enjoy developing your habit. Tell your friends about the habits you’re developing. Tell them what you enjoy about it. Write it down in your journal of your blog.
5. Be grateful.
   In all things, be grateful. Gratitude brings more of what you are thankful for.

Be blessed!

With Love,

Ka Edong

It’s been very exciting for me seeing the developments in the campaign. I especially like how so many of Filipinos have taken the campaign to heart and into their own hands. We’re seeing hundreds of user-generated campaign photos coming out. And there’ll be more.

Fetching Water. More fun in the Philippines - Leisure Coast, Dagupan, Pangasinan

Let me pause a bit and make a little sense of where we could bring this campaign.

I enjoy seeing the various creations online. Most of us who created Fun Philippines photos are in a very steep learning curve. Maybe the photos and the lines aren’t perfect — oh, that’s all part of the fun.

But as we progress through the learning curve, we better do better and better. All in the right time. (Napag-sabihan kasi ako ng “Chill”).

Let me make two lists. First: How to improve our “It’s more fun in the Philippines” photos. Second: What to do with them next.

How to improve our “It’s more fun in the Philippines” photos. 

1. Stick to the text style.
   Pre-text is short, smart, witty. It’s laid-out to have same length as “Philippines”. Make “Philippines” as big as possible on the photos.  More tips here from Jayvee.
2. Use beautiful photos that evoke Pinoy-ness.
   I’ve seen a photo of lego bricks — this isn’t Pinoy. Lego bricks can be found anywhere else in the world. ;-) My opinion, not yours. ;-) I’ve seen photos that won’t appeal to foreigners. I choose not to share those.
3. Use pre-text (e.g. “Angry Birds”, “Stalking” etc.) that can connect with non-Filipinos.
   If you say, for example, “Sisig. More fun in the Philippines” — foreigners will not understand this, they can’t relate.

Here’s what we can do to level-up our “It’s more fun in the Philippines” campaign.

1. Curate — bring together the best photos and text that positively contribute to the campaign.
   Here are some sites that have started curating in different ways:
   via Pinterest (c/o Anton Diaz and friends … including me :D )
   via http://www.itsmorefuninthephilippinespics.com/ by Arnold Gamboa
   via Flickr group  pool
2. Categorize – There has to be categories that actually truly attract foreigner tourists. I’m sure this has been identified. What are they? Diving? Boracay (surely!). Backpacking? Beaches? Nature? Adventure? Food? History? When a photo can’t be used to attract a foreign tourist, then the photo is good only for domestic enjoyment , only among Pinoys. ;-)
3. Caption — a whole lot of the photos I’m seeing are contextual — foreigners won’t understand what it means. We need to start inserting short and sweet descriptions of the photos. Basic: Location and/or subject description. I tried doing this in the text captions of my photos. But I realized it gets lost in the passing on of the photo (re-posting etc.).
   Perhaps DOT can start the copy on how to include captions within the photo, and we user-generated-creators will follow-suit. I imagine just one-line captions, short and sweet at the bottom of the photo.
4. Collect customer-insight — We Filipinos are not the customers of this campaign. (Arguable, I know. But let’s focus on the side about marketing the Philippines to foreign tourists). Therefore, it is important to get real customer insight. Let’s test the campaign photos with our foreigner friends. Even test it with Filipinos living outside the Philippines. See if the photos resonate with them, see if the photos attract them to the Philippines.
5. Correspond. — Live up to the expecation. That means being what we claim to be. ;-) .

Here’s to thinking ahead. Envisioning where we can bring the campaign to. We’re in a space of growth here. Am excited ;-) .

How to make your own It’s more fun in the Philippines photos:

• A tutorial by Jayvee
• An online app http://www.morefunmaker.com/ (hope it’s working when you use it).
• Lastly, visit the official site www.itsmorefuninthephilippines.com

ka edong

Ka Edong Reflections in Sydney

Masaya sa Pilipinas

Two days before the launch of the tourism campaign,
my brother-in-law told me he visited the Philippines every year when he was a bachelor working in Australia.
He preferred travelling to the Philippines more than US or Europe.

His reason:”Masaya sa Pilipinas, eh.”

And then the launch of the tourism campaign:
www.itsmorefuninthephilippines.com

I just thought: “DOT read my brother’s mind (and thousands other’s minds and feelings)! They hit it right!”

Let’s support this campaign. Many things are indeed more fun in the Philippines!

Big Philippines

I realized today: The Philippines is bigger than it’s geographic borders. The Philippines is it’s people, spread around the world.

Claim it, Philippines!

Barely 36 hours since launch, I therefore declare the tourism campaign #ItsMoreFunInThePhilippines … A SUCCESS!
I claim it for the Philippines, a country and people infinitely blessed by our good God!

- Amb. Edwin Ka Edong Soriano
Philippine Ambassador to all he meets

More fun indeed

In a family gathering, I was talking with pamangkins in Sydney, ages 16-19.
Grew up in Australia, with visits to the Philippines.
More than three times from different people, they told me in various ways “It’s more fun in the Philippines”.
Indeed, the campaign slogan is something that resonates with people, unites Filipinos. Sarap maging Pinoy!

New Pinoy Thinking

We attended Sunday service at Hillsong, Australia.
There, we met Nadya, a Filipina who migrated to Australia in the early 1980′s.

She shared the sentiment that “It’s more fun in the Philippines” especially during the holidays, with all the family members in the Philippines, food, festivities. She shared that here in Australia, to have a feel of the Philippine Christmas, they would gather Pinoy family friends and celebrate together. I told her: “There’s a patch of the Philippines here in Australia!“

She described how back then they had a “brotherhood” of Pinoy migrants. But through the years, many more Pinoys came to Australia and she no longer felt the brotherhood. I explained to her that the Pinoy brotherhood is still there,  it’s happening many times more than before, but it’s happening in groups outside her circle.

She commended me, told me: “I like how you think.”

Thank you. I like how I think too :D .

Easy to help

Nadya also encouraged my brother and I to migrate to Australia. She explained that it’s so much easier to help our countrymen when earning in Australian dollars. One pound of sweat in Australia is paid many times more than the same effort in the Philippines.

That was Nadya’s way of helping. And it’s all good. I realized that for many Filipinos living abroad, it’s important for them to help the Philippines … and that one of the easiest ways is to send money back home. I see.

I feel this is why Fil-Ams are such a big fan of Willie Revillame’s show. Because they see right before their very eyes how Willie is able to help people, right there and then. That act, that gesture of giving money to a fellow-Filipino in need — that is an act that many Filipinos abroad want to do. (I don’t agree with how Willie does it, but I do understand why he’s big with Filipinos abroad).

Helping the Philippines abroad

On the other hand, I felt that there are many more ways to help the Filipino. This thought has helped me become more creative:

The Philippines is bigger than it’s geographic borders. The Philippines is it’s people, spread around the world.

For instance, while in the car here in Australia, I heard a Filipino radio program. They were playing a radio drama spoken in Filipino.

I also found Filipino publications for the Filipinos in Australia, published here in Sydney.

I started to think: The people behind this radio program and these publications — they are serving the Philippines. They are serving the Filipinos in Australia, a patch of the Philippines here in Australia.

Buy low, sell high

I’ve also been thinking about what’s affordable in the Philippines that’s valuable in Australia. Buy low, sell high.

Labor is one. For the same amount of work, we earn, say for example, 10 times more in Australia than we earn in the Philippines.

Tourism is another. Australian dollars go a long long way in the Philippines, much more than in Australia.

Oneness once again

I’m utterly delighted when Filipinos are drawn to become one. I feel it when Pacquiao has a bout. I felt it in Cory’s wake. I felt it in the bayanihan of Ondoy and Sendong.

That’s why I’m so excited about our tourism campaign “It’s more fun in the Philippines”.

Finally here is something that brings Filipinos together as one, and with fun!

And it’s bringing us together not based on tragedy (Ondoy, Sendong) or death (Cory’s passing away) or ousting a leader (EDSA revolutions).

This tourism campaign is bringing together Filipinos all around the world with one resounding voice, saying “It’s more fun in the Philippines.”

I love it that we’re all coming together, and with fun!

The Filipino Abroad

OFWs are Filipinos working abroad to earn money to send back home. I feel the OFW segment is highly evolved. There are products, services, programs that cater specifically for the OFW.

But it’s not the same for the Filipino families who reside outside the country. This segment is under-served. We don’t even have a commonly used term to refer to this group. What are they? Overseas Filipino Families (OFF)? Or maybe Overseas Filipino Migrants. How about Filipinos Living Abroad (FLA).

Let’s start with that, can we? Let’s have a name for this group and then we can start serving them better. And we can start empowering them better. Or should I say, we can start empowering us better. ;-)

ka edong
sa Australia 

Need a light? More fun in the Philippines! Location - Batanes light house

Double dates. More fun in the Philippines! Location - Batanes

Cheer dancing! More fun in the Philippines! Location - Batanes

Anti-gravity. More fun in the Philippines! Location - Marlboro Country, Batanes

Reflections. More fun in the Philippines! Location: Coron, Palawan

Hitch hiking! More fun in the Philippines! Location: Coron, Palawan

Face-offs. More fun in the Philippines! - Panagbengga, Baguio City

Water Bending More fun in the Philippines - Batanes

Fetching Water. More fun in the Philippines - Leisure Coast, Dagupan, Pangasinan

In the meantime, will dream up some more …. more fun in the Philippines.

Links:

• How to make your own “Its more fun in the Philippines” photos:
  http://abuggedlife.com/2012/01/07/how-to-make-your-own-its-more-fun-in-the-philippines-meme/
• Collection of photos (curated by Anton Diaz):
  http://pinterest.com/antondiaz/itsmorefuninthephilippines/

I start today with “Contrast”. I realized it was a topic on its own, just enough for one article. There’s so much more to write about, but I’ll keep it short and sweet for now.

Contrast in 2011

“If there was a color darker than black, our world would be a brighter place.” — Elmer S. Soriano

I’ve been taking photos for the Heroic Leadership Seminar, Classes XXX and XXXI. One of the lessons I learned from my friend Arney Nucum was to capture the positive moments of the participants. That worked very well for me as a photographer as I captured wonderful moments of joy, victory, breakthrough, acceptance, forgiveness and empowerment. I loved capturing the beauty of these moments in heart-warming portraits of Heroic participants.

Venchie's Embrace - w/ Lourds and Budz Arl

A year later in Heroic XXXII, I learned something similarly as powerful as capturing positive moments: capturing negative moments. I learned this from my friend Delong and we call it “contrast”.

Contrast is having a deeper awareness and appreciation of what was. This empowers us to celebrate what IS.

As a photographer, I learned the importance of capturing moments of despair, brokenness, struggle — these are precious because it gives people a reminder of what life was like before reaching their moment of positive breakthrough.

Conquering The Wall of XXXI

I feel this is the power behind watching Nick Vucijic, Susan Boyle (old lady, surprise finalist in Britain’s got talent), Emmanuel Kelly (Iraq war survivor singing “Imagine”), Sung Bong Choi (Korean homeless boy, opera singer).

All these people come from various difficult situations. Therefore it can become extremely overwhelming to witness how they have overcome dire situations and come out as winners. They are winners not by comparison to other people — they are winners for what they have become despite (or because of) their difficult backgrounds.

Personally, I am overwhelmed because through them, I am reminded how much I myself can overcome and shine.

In our lives, we can empower ourselves for the present moment by being aware of how much we have grown from our moments of difficulties.

Moreover, when we are faced with moments of difficulty, we are being blessed with moments of “contrast” which will make our victory sweeter than sweet!

Difficulty brings contrast brings joy.

Happy New Year!

ka edong