The Growth Journey

I found this illustration on my facebook feed.  I realize that in order to grow, we need to get out of our comfort zone and do it.  Do it scared! Do it even if you're not sure what you're doing!

While we continue to learn as lifelong learners, we continue to face challenges by acquiring new skill sets.  The willingness to learn is one of the most important characteristics of a growing person.

Take courage!

Blind man:  Have mercy on me, I beg you!  I want to see!

Jesus:  Stand up, your faith has healed you!

Often we are preoccupied with our worries and struggles that we cannot be disturbed to help those blind people sitting along the roadside asking for help.

Kuya Gil is an example of how we can truly be instruments of God's healing despite our own poverty and handicaps.

On the anniversary and project leaders meeting of the Enfantes Du Mekong, the message of the Bamboos to the scholars are "Take courage and get up.  Jesus is calling you!"

Bartimeus was important to Jesus because he said "Call him" asking the people to bring Bartimeus instead of just ordering Bartimeus to "Come here".  In the same way, the children matter not only to EDM but also to God.  Volunteers are the instruments that God use to bring the children closer to Him and closer to restoration of their sight and the restoration of their faith in humankind.  People are gifts.  People live for other people.  That faith in humankind can save lives!

Padayon, ninong Gil!

Post-tweetchat on the Art of Negotiation

 

One of the main illustrations during the chat is from Dr Remo Aguilar @bonedoc on the Principled Negotiation.

The Art of NEGOTIATION

 

I saw this post of Dr Tony Leachon on my feed, knowing that those personalities engaging in a friendly handshake have been political opponents in the past election.  The caption tells us to never fear to negotiate.

This is an inspiring photo of how people have the capacity to agree to disagree, and to set aside their differences to cooperate towards the same goal.  I also wonder why our politicians find it difficult to negotiate for continuity of good programs.  The common practice is to stop all programs of the previous administration in favor of new projects that bear the new administration's stamp of approval and branding.

Negotiation is defined as a discussion aimed at reaching an agreement.  The United Nations discuss negotiation as a way of coping with disagreement, with varying views and with different objectives.  Harvard Business School Online lists the following skills needed to negotiate professionally: (1) communication; (2) emotional intelligence; (3) planning; (4) value creation; (5) strategy and (6) reflection.  Sometimes, at work we don't need to be friends, but we need to be negotiate professionally to reach an agreed strategy or way to move forward.

Join us tonight at 9PM MLA time on #HealthXPH to discuss the Art of NEGOTIATION:

T1.  What is your understanding and/or definition of a good negotiation?

T2.  What factors, in your experience, contribute to a successful negotiation?

T3.  Can you tell us a story of a negotiation that you had done in the past?  What went right/wrong?

Boundaries

A lack of boundaries invite a lack of respect.  

You get what you expect.

You deserve what you tolerate.

I saw this video on my feed and it aptly illustrates that nobody can disrespect you if you do not allow it.  Maybe it's a part of our culture that we were raised to be hospitable, to be welcoming of people, to be caring even to a point where we get uncomfortable just to address the needs of others.  There should be a point where we say NO.  This is as far as I go.  Your rights should not step on my rights.  I have rights too.  I have a boundary.  I deserve respect.

FOCUS

in the hustle and bustle of everyday grind, we can take a break to breathe and pause to smell the coffee.

then i realize that life is a matter of FOCUS.  I may be sitting quietly contemplating on life with my cup of coffee, but I am still focusing on the traffic below.  time to shift my focus on my cup of coffee and me.  just for a moment.  just to pause and breathe.  just to shut out the noise outside and give myself a moment of peace.

HEALING

There are a lot of factors in healing, but definitely healing takes time, effort and understanding.  One needs to reflect on the root cause of one's suffering and trauma to directly address and cut off the triggers, no matter how painful.  Sometimes we make things complicated for ourselves, so we also need to analyze our own role in our own problems.

Habang may buhay, may pag-asa.