An Awesome Project
In the next few weeks, you will hear about a project that I am helping build, along with 5 other inspiring and energetic individuals who are experts in their respective fields.
The project has something to do with being AWESOME in this day and age; and it stands for what we hope to become, a team dedicated at helping individuals and organizations become awesome at what they do.
Economies around the globe are being threatened NOT by a lack of resources but by a lack of creative imagination.
Traditional businesses are dying. New models are emerging. And the terrain is constantly changing.
More than 150 years ago, Charles Darwin stated this: “It is not the strongest of the species that survives; nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change."
No time in history has it ever been more relevant than today.
To give you a clue, here’s my proposed role:
Fire Starter Jay.
How To Enjoy The Present Moment
I would like to share another story that Paulo Coelho shared in his book, Like the Flowing River.
Over the last few years, it has helped me enjoy the present moment. Let us all learn how to value the present.
Rome: Isabella Returns from Nepal
I meet Isabella in a restaurant where we usually go because it's always empty, even though the food is excellent. She tells me that, during her trip to Nepal, she spent some weeks in a monastery. One afternoon, she was walking near the monastery with one of the monks, when he opened the bag he was carrying and stood for a long time studying its contents. Then he said to Isabella:
'Did you know that bananas can teach you the meaning of life?'
He took out a rotten banana from the bag and threw it away.
'That is the life that has been and gone, and which was not used to the full and for which it is now too late.'
Then he drew another banana, which was still green. He showed it to her and put it back in the bag.
'This is the life that has yet to happen, and for which we need to wait until the moment is right.'
Finally, he took out a ripe banana, peeled it, and shared it with Isabella.
'This is the present moment. Learn how to gobble it up without fear or guilt.'
How To Climb Mountains
I would like to share with you one of the best guides on 'climbing mountains' out there. This was written by Paulo Coelho and I believe it captures how we should communicate the things we do in life, especially the big projects we take on, and how we should (I actually believe its our collective responsibility) share the lessons we have learned while climbing our own mountains so that others may benefit from our experiences and possibly not repeat the same mistakes but more importantly, so that they become inspired to take on big challenges as well.
This is the makeshift school in Isla Mababoy, Masbate that we have been blessed to have helped build.
How to Climb Mountains
by Paulo Coelho
Choose the mountain you want to climb
Don't be influenced by what other people say: 'that one's prettier' or 'that one looks easier.' You are going to put a lot of energy and enthusiasm into achieving your objective, and you are the only person responsible for your choice, so be quite sure about what you are doing.
Find out how to reach the mountain
Often you can see the mountain in the distance – beautiful, interesting, full of challenges. However, when you try to reach it, what happens? It's surrounded by roads; forests lie between you and your objective; and what seems clear on the map is far more complicated in reality. So you must try all the paths and tracks until, one day, you find yourself before the peak you intend to climb.
Learn from someone who has been there before
However unique you may think you are, there is always someone who has had the same dream before, and who will have left signs behind that will make the climb less arduous: the best place to attach a rope, trodden paths, branches broken off to make it easier to pass. It is your climb and it is your responsibility too, but never forget that other people's experiences are always helpful.
Dangers, seen from close to, are controllable
When you start to climb the mountain of your dreams, pay attention to what is around you. There are, of course, precipices. There are almost imperceptible cracks. There are stones polished so smooth by rain and wind that they have become as slippery as ice. But if you know where you are putting your foot, you will see any traps and be able to avoid them.
The landscape changes, so make the most of it
You must, naturally, always keep in mind your objective – reaching the top. However, as you climb, the view changes, and there is nothing wrong with stopping now and then to enjoy the vista. With each metre you climb, you can see a little further, so take time to discover things you have never noticed before.
Respect your body
You will only manage to climb a mountain if you give your body the care it deserves. You have all the time that life gives you, so do not demand too much from your body. If you walk too quickly, you will grow tired and give up halfway. If you walk too slowly, night might fall and you will get lost. Enjoy the landscape, drink the cool spring water, and eat the fruit that Nature so generously offers you, but keep walking.
Respect your soul
Don't keep repeating, "I'm going to do it." Your soul knows this already. What it needs to do is to use this long walk in order to grow, to reach out as far as the horizon, to touch the sky. Obsession will not help you in the search for your goal, and will end up spoiling the pleasure of the climb. On the other hand, don't keep repeating 'It's harder than I thought,' because that will sap your inner strength.
Be prepared to go the extra mile
The distance to the top of the mountain is always greater than you think. There is bound to come a moment when what seemed close is still very far away. But since you are prepared to go still further, this should not be a problem.
Be joyful when you reach the top
Cry, clap your hands, shout out loud that you made it; let the wind (because it is always windy up there) purify your mind, cool your hot, weary feet, open your eyes, blow the dust out of your heart. What was once only a dream, a distant vision, is now part of your life. You made it, and that is good.
Make a promise
Now that you have discovered a strength you did not even know you had, tell yourself that you will use it for the rest of your days; promise yourself, too, to discover another mountain and set off on a new adventure.
Tell your story
Yes, tell your story. Be an example to others. Tell everyone that it's possible, and then others will find the courage to climb their own mountains.
So there you have it from the man himself who has written so many books and has touched millions of lives. Now, if you're still wondering what the next step is, I'm quoting from Nike: Just do it!
How To Start The New Year
Over the last 14 months, I have truly been blessed by the passion and generosity of people towards the Yellow Boat Project (aka Philippine Funds for Little Kids).
Because of this wonderful experience, I have matured for the better and have made the decision to devote my life on helping low-income communities find their true potential and hopefully develop solutions with them so they can better provide for their families and communities, all this towards achieving the same goal: a better Philippines, a better world.
As many of you already know, we have been invited to share the Yellow Boat Story to TEDxMontpellier on January 20, 2012 (just 12 days away!). And last Thursday, January 5, I got my Schengen Visa from the French Embassy. The only thing I haven't done yet is to make sure I have the right attire for the cold weather in Paris and Montpellier.
Three key things stood out from last year that made this possible and I'm sharing this with you because it is truly my wish that every Filipino out there can respond to our President's call to be part of nation-building and it starts with each of us finding our passion in life and getting so 'hungry' in turning those passions, those dreams into reality.
1. Make New Friends (Offline and Online)
I know this is pretty obvious but it bears repeating. While I was working in the corporate world, I had a major disagreement with a colleague who told me friendships and connections can only happen offline. He was wrong. Last year, I met Rick Passo, online. He found out about the Yellow Boat Project and added me on Facebook. He is really a great connector and has awesome friends from all over the world! It is to his vision of connecting one change maker to another that led to my invitation to TEDxMontpellier. Rick has become so integral to the "communications strategy" (there's really no strategy that's why this is in quotation) of the Yellow Boat Project in that Our Chief Dreamer in Zamboanga City, Anton Lim and I consider him to be a key partner in this project and it seems he is just meters away from where we live.
NOTE: Up to this day, Rick Passo and I have not met (hopefully in my next US trip) but we always exchange notes and tips on how to help make the world a better place to live in. To you, Rick, a very happy New Year indeed!
2. Make Meaning
People love a good story. Over the last 14 months, all of us at the Philippine Funds for Little Kids have been busy taking pictures of our projects, taking videos of them, writing and blogging about it, and even sharing it to family members, relatives and friends --- just about anyone who would care to listen. And I realized, that these tiny ripples is not only bringing hope to the communities we are helping but also to other individuals and organizations out there who want to make a difference. It further made me realize that the Yellow Boat Project today is really a metaphor for the boat-building project in Noah's time (from the Bible) wherein he was tasked to build a boat to help people and the world and provide HOPE.
Everyday, we should strive to create meaning. It could just be saying 'good morning' to the security guard as we enter the building to go to work, just as simple as saying 'thank you' to the person who held the elevator for you, or just a simple pat on the back for someone who did a job well done. These tiny habits are ripples that create waves and ultimately, changes everything. That is simply called INFLUENCE.
This year, make your influence POSITIVE.
3. Just do it!
I know bringing about social change or just change for that matter is hard.
It is with discipline and practice everyday that makes everything we do close to perfect.
I remember when I was reading the book Re-Imagine by Tom Peters and his thoughts on execution can be summarized in three ways: Ready, Fire, Aim (instead of Ready, Aim, Fire). Indeed in life, experience is the best teacher. We should just do it everyday and get better at it than focusing too much on the 'prize' in that we forget to live.
Here's to great starts!
Thank you to Magali Dutilleux as well for the invitation to speak in TEDxMontpellier!
The little known Opportunist
Yesterday, I chanced upon this photo.
I think there are moments in our lives that we do need to stop talking and just seize the opportunity.
What do you think?