inspiration

The Winner’s Habit: How to Improve and Succeed at Just About Anything

September 12, 2017 by Ray L. Leave a Comment

*This article contains affiliate links.

Tagalog Version (Click Here)

During the time I was able to join a martial arts class, I noticed that some students were able to do better during the harsh physical conditioning part of training. Those regulars who joined the class almost every session completed the hundreds of push-ups, sit ups, squats, and long planks faster and with better form than students like me who were only able to attend a couple of Saturdays a month at most. Some of them started training later than I have but, unsurprisingly, they quickly grew stronger as time went on.

If you’ve ever started a certain career, sport, or hobby, do you ever wonder why some people become better and more successful than you over time? Ruling out “luck” or “natural talent”, did you know that there’s something else at work and that you can use that something to improve just about all areas of your life as well? That’s the lesson we’ll learn here today. Keep reading as you might learn something amazing.

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Ang Bakal na Kalidad ng Tagumpay (Hindi Ka Mananalo Kung Wala Ka Nito!)

September 5, 2017 by Ray L. Leave a Comment

*Ang article na ito ay naglalaman ng affiliate links.

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Dati bumili ako ng isang libro, Zen Flesh Zen Bones: A Collection of Zen and Pre-Zen Writings. Ang isang kuwento doon (“The Tunnel”) ay may payong tungkol sa tagumpay na pag-aaralan natin dito:

Noong unang panahon, ang isang anak ng samurai na nagngangalang Zenkai ay naging empleyado ng isang opisyal. Sa kasamaang palad, nagkagusto siya sa asawa ng opisyal at, noong nadiskubre sila, pinatay ni Zenkai ang opisyal para ipagtanggol ang kanyang sarili. Nagtanan sila ng asawa at naging magnanakaw sila. Matapos ang ilang panahon, nandiri si Zenkai sa kasakiman ng babae kaya iniwan niya ito at naging pulubi siya sa probinsya ng Buzen.

Para makapagbayad-sala, hinangad ni Zenkai na gumawa ng kabutihan bago siya mamatay. Noong nalaman niya ang tungkol sa isang mapanganib na daanan sa isang lambak o valley kung saan maraming manlalakbay ang namatay, napag-isipan niyang maghukay ng tunnel sa bundok na gawa sa bato. Habang nanlilimos siya ng pagkain araw araw, nagtrabaho siya gabi gabi.

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The Steel Quality of Success (You’ll NEVER Win Without It!)

September 5, 2017 by Ray L. Leave a Comment

*This article contains affiliate links.

Tagalog Version (Click Here)

Some time ago I bought a book called Zen Flesh Zen Bones: A Collection of Zen and Pre-Zen Writings and one of the stories there (“The Tunnel”) best illustrates the success lesson we’re about to learn here:

Once upon a time, a samurai’s son named Zenkai became the retainer of an official. Unfortunately, he fell in love with that official’s wife and, when he was discovered, Zenkai killed the official in self-defence. He then ran away with the woman and they both became thieves to survive. After a while, however, Zenkai grew disgusted by the woman’s greed and so he left her and he became a beggar at Buzen province.

To atone for his past misdeeds, he wanted to do something good before he died. When he found out about a dangerous road in a valley where many travelers died, he decided to carve a tunnel through the stone mountain. Begging for food during the day, he did his work every night.

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Support Local! A Quick Stop at the 19th Global Pinoy Bazaar (2017)

August 21, 2017 by Ray L. 2 Comments

Every so often I travel to distant provinces to hike in scenic mountains or swim at beautiful beaches. Every time I travel, I make it a point to sample the local goods, like the coconut farmer selling coconut water, the merchant selling trinkets and tools handcrafted by his or her family, and the home-style small restaurant or eatery serving their province’s unique cuisine.

In most areas, there will always be that stray 7-eleven, big name fast food chain, or convenience store chain selling the same old cheap stuff you can find everywhere in the big cities like Manila, but I always remember to prioritize the local family-owned shops and restaurants. Big name stores are out to make a profit. The small businesses, on the other hand, were started by entrepreneurs to support their families AND showcase their unique crafts.

When I heard about the Global Pinoy Bazaar, an event by Yabang Pinoy showcasing unique Filipino-made products, I knew I had to go there and check it out.
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Ang Alamat ng Kayamanan sa Bundok

August 8, 2017 by Ray L. Leave a Comment

English Version (Click Here)

*Ang kwentong ito ay kathang-isip lamang.

Noong unang panahon, mayroong isang mahiwagang kahon na nakakapagbigay ng kayamanang nagkakahalaga ng higit sampung milyong piso sa kahit sino mang makakarating dito. Kahit isang beses lamang ito nakakapagbigay ng kayamanan bawat tao, hindi ito nauubusan ng laman kaya mayroon itong kayamanang pwedeng maibigay para sa lahat ng tao.

Sa kasamaang palad, ang kahong iyon ay nakalagay sa isang malayong bundok sa hilaga, at napakalayo nito sa lahat ng mga siyudad.

Ang alamat at lokasyon ng kahong iyon ay alam ng napakarami, at ang impormasyon tungkol dito ay ikinakalat mismo ng mga nakarating dito at nakatanggap ng kayamanan. Ang kwentong ito ay tungkol sa mga taong ngayon lang nakaalam sa alamat na iyon.

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