Knowledge power

Knowledge/skill + Experience + Common sense are things mattered in accomplishing whatever tasks commissioned to us.

A boss who relies on you has the mind set that you are competent enough to deliver results. We may perceive it as abuse of authority, but the thing is; if your boss does not trust you nor cannot count on you; you will not be in your job, right?

This morning an officemate forwarded the article below and it made me think that no one really has the monopoly of knowledge. I am not saying that we should be the “old man” in the story—but “let’s always give the best shot in every endeavor that we get into.”

THE GIANT SHIP

Ever hear the story of the giant ship engine that failed?

The ship's owners tried one expert after another, but none of them could figure out how to fix the engine. Then they brought in an old man who had been fixing ships since he was a youngster. He carried a large bag of tools with him, and when he arrived, he immediately went to work.

He inspected the engine very carefully, top to bottom. Two of the ship's owners were there, watching this man, hoping he would know what to do.  After looking things over, the old man reached into his bag and pulled out a small hammer. He gently tapped something. Instantly, the engine lurched into life. He carefully put his hammer away. The engine was fixed!

A week later, the owners received a bill from the old man for ten thousand dollars. "What?" the owners exclaimed. "He hardly did anything!" So they wrote the old man a note saying, "Please send us an itemized bill."

The man sent a bill that read:

Tapping with a hammer $2.00

Knowing where to tap $9998.00

“Effort is important, but knowing where to make an effort in your life makes all the difference.”

How do we evolve?

Evolution defines as "the gradual process in which something changes into a different and usually more complex or better form.

How do you evolve at this stage of your life?

May it be your personality, career, interests, etc.

Each of us has always the itch to do something like selfless quests or selfish pursuits to fame. Evolution per se has something to do with a cliche belief that in this world., there is no such thing as permanent, except changes.

Are we really doomed to constant changes, or is it simply a question of being not contented of what we have.

Let's say for example the career that you want, or the kind of job you are having. Are you satisfied and feel happy at the end of the day on what you are doing?

An average person changes career three times, according to the U.S. Dept. of Labor. What is then the deciding factor(s) that a person changes his/her job or career?

Will it be pure cravings of a financially rewarding job? Or is it the working environment making you feel like a programmed robot, bossy bosses,  or upper-lipped colleagues?

I salute highly successful people who left their jobs for humanistic causes, like bankers who became priests, missionaries, pastors, business tycoons who are philanthropists, and the rest who have the noble goals of serving or giving back selflessly to the needy what they have.

It's not all about monies...yes I believe so.

You can fake the smiles in your lips, but your eyes can't conceal whatever discontent in your heart for hey are the windows of your soul.

Talking to oneself

(photo credit: www.zazzle.co.uk)

When was the last time you talked to yourself?

It is called soliloquy (talking to oneself), an effective tool for actors to master their lines on certain acts or for speakers to rehearse their speeches.

At times, we engage in soliloquy, without knowing that what you’re doing is perfectly normal, a technique that directly or indirectly improves our personalities.

I was in college when I first encountered the term in one of my literature subjects. From then on, I used the technique when rehearsing a presentation, speeches, or scheduled interviews. Believe me, it indeed works and usually boosts confidence. Soliloquy is best practice in front of the mirror.

Speaking of mirror…

Yesterday while dusting off my life size mirror in the room, I noticed that my then “cute” countenance (as friends called me during my younger years har har har), already turned into a face of a man who is on his mid-thirties, and that an aura of adulthood is undeniably evident.

I have aged indeed I told myself…

When I was in my teens, what I wished was to grow-up faster and do things that adults were doing, like partying, drinking and smoking, etc. Then I got employed, and realized smoking and drinking would just a waste of hard earned monies. I still drink, only occasionally, or some calls it social drinking.

Now in my 30’s, I fancy the years to unfold slowly.  I wish that I am still in my 10’s or in my 20’s. A psychologist friend told me, it is but normal for persons who are in their later 20’s or 30’s, even 40’s to engage sometimes on cheeky things that they are used with. She cited that if young ones are vain, how much more the adults who may have the means to proper grooming?  And what about those in their 50’s, 60’s...? “Well, they are on the quest of the fountain of youth,” she quipped. In short, being vain, as long as it is not overtly excessive is healthy.  No wonder beauty/grooming industries worldwide generate billions in sales revenue annually.

We might age at a snail’s pace, yes. But, we can’t totally alter the natural flow of aging, nor forever hold our being young, gorgeous and strong.  However, moderation (to anything) is one of the keys to long life.

Worrying develops unwanted wrinkles and too much stress will shorten your life.

One day, the inevitable will come, and I told myself.., “It is worth leaving if life is productively spent.”

Caring gestures, sweet nothings and lies

(photo credit: www.masternewrmedia.org)

The emotional scar that one can get out of the imaginative tell-tales of unrequited love is a temporary ride on a seemingly flat world of deceit and hypocrisy.

Foolish as it may sound, the heart is dumb at times of caring gestures, sweet nothings, and lies...

You get inspired, the iota of happiness seemed so big to carry, and heavy enough to shrink self-esteem and sanity.

The loathsome reality of being ditched is frustrating, yet it is a humbling experience of being awaken to a possible one way ticket love affair. The timeliness of realization is a blessing in disguise, misery is averted and the road to Hades' den halted. The only draw back then is the wounded pride, and takes time to mend once again.

A lesson is drawn, while it is true that the end doesn't justify the means...

The heart is forever vulnerable, always at risk of being hurt, and yet never gets tired of falling in love.

I got to believe then, that when it's wrong, it is indeed false--and when it's left, it is not at all right.

Swimming in the vastness of a narrow bowl

 

(photo credit: Bro. Noly N. Berjuega, my cousin, who is a seminarian based in Ramsey, N.J. and an aspiring photographer)

The celebration of freedom manifests by the bird above.

And yet freedom is not absolute.

At times I swam in the vastness of a narrow bowl, ahhh...the uncertainties of daily survival is enough for me to cling stronger with my FAITH.

The stark reality on the complexities of life fails me to understand that the world would never be in order. Spontaneity is a rarity or simply one's rant of things that are too complicated to work out. Frightening thoughts of what if's, what if's, what if's...strike my inner self. It's more of a torture and numbs my fragile body, good I am impassive to pains. Fear is the silent anesthetic that weakens my spine, and paralyzes my senses.

Why peace of mind is elusive? Is it because the heart is full of deceit and beyond cure?

Why we tend to feel alone, despite a life full of love? Is it because we demand so much? Is  enriching our spiritual lives can fill the vacuum of emptiness alone?

Happiness can't be measured of contentment. Satisfaction is very much objective. You may be contented but not happy nor satisfied; you always crave and want more...

Pain, fear, peace, loneliness, happiness, love--mold our inner selves. Just don't let envy or jealousy, bitterness and hatred take over your existence, it will be your losing end. Never be blinded of what are lies. Advocate to what is just and fair.

Always have a rational judgment. Madness is real; happiness doesn't last long.

Existence is a game of survival regardless who you are, only a few or the fittest finishes the race.

An object in motion

(photo credit: http://weburbanist.com)

I stagnate lately, in fact my increasing weight can attest to that.

A good friend asks me why is it in spite my cool countenance my temper ignites easily?

Ironical isn’t it?

Patience..? I have lots…but I am no meek when a particular situation calls a rational approach. Yes, I admit my temper easily ignites whenever I come across jerks. Who wouldn’t be? If I do not have patience, then I’d always opt to physical fight.

Case no. 1—it was Friday, we were in a hyper mall, after buying foodstuffs from its grocery section we planned out to dine in one of the restaurants in the mall. Before doing so, we decided first to load the foodstuffs in the car which was in the parking area. My car was parked just a stone’s throw away from the main access of the mall, and even the security guard saw us rushing towards my car. After we dumped the foodstuffs, we headed back to the mall only to be informed by the same security guard that only families are allowed to enter, and since I was with a male friend we couldn’t enter the mall and dine. Stupid right? The situation pissed me very much and resulted to a heated argument with the security guard. I told him how on earth the other security guards did not inform us while in the grocery section (there were at least 2 guards spotted us), and even allowed us to enter the mall an hour back? He yelled back to follow his’ order, and leave at once!? But before doing so I argued the confusing policy of the mall, and swore not to set foot ever again in that mall.

Case no. 2—when you are driving expects once in a while to meet rogue drivers in the road. Driving in this part of the world is both a challenge and survival. Your typical day in the road comprises of being tail-gaited, cutting your way, and don’t be surprised to witness gross and deliberate traffic violations such as car racing of locals in the main thoroughfares, beating the red traffic light, obstructing left/right turns, swerving, unnecessary blowing of horns, using cell phone while in the wheel, stopping anytime without giving a signal light, etc. So, given two or three encounters of driving situations I enumerated while you are in the road, do you think you will remain composed? I bet, you would always end up cursing the reckless driver, either by saying FU_K or go to HELL!

I remain calmed at all times. You want a proof..? 

I learned somewhere that the real test of temper when your wife nags at you (it applies to married men), if your temper gives in, you will end up hurting your wife. You see, whenever my wife nags or throwing petty tantrums, I am always a giver. It’s hard though, but I think my wife is just simply needs my attention heheheh.

Well, each of us has each own limits. Our limits differ in a given situation, as in the case of how much patience you bear, or temper you can manage? The spontaneous flow of nature hampers when an alien force alters it, Newton’s first law says, “an object in motion tends to stay in motion until acted upon by an outside force.” Just like anyone’s temper, it ignites when ones calmness jeopardized by undesirable situations.