Say more with less

I think, speak and analyze too much – this is what my boss tells me at work.  This may be one of the reasons why I have so many pending assignments that I would not want to release because in my opinion, they are still not the beast-best (animal sa galling).  I keep on changing them every time I get inspired and start from scratch all over again.  And as a creature of habit, I continue with this routine with MK.  

Last Saturday, we had our Happy Anniversary booth at Themes and Motifs Wedding Expo at the SMX.  At first, I struggled with my bookings because I felt the need to “entertain” the client every single second.  As a result, they were bombarded with my blah blahs, they cannot revel in the joy of the moment. What should I do?  Then I saw how Ms Noemi performed (she’s a theater extraordinaire as myself in her past life).  I observed that she has her pauses and allows her clients to feel the mini-peace our hand spa offers.  She then catches them with a note or two before they doze off in their seat!  Aha, thank you Ms. Noemi for such a wonderful idea!  I then tried this speak –less-and-let-them-feel-the-products-more routine and boy, it was successful!   I never had more bookings in one single day!  I realized that with MK, I need not justify – I just allow the products speak for themselves (and have my calendar ready for the next appointment).

When you are doing what you love, everything seems a breeeeze

Letter to Jose Marie Chan

Dear Mr Chan,

Good afternoon, I hope this reaches you well.

This is to extend our warmest gratitude for the kindness you’ve extended to my mother.  As a background, my sister was your flight attendant during one of your trips with PAL Express.  She requested you for a gift.  It was for our mom birthday on May 16^th.  Kindly see attached for the letter you sent together with the (not just one, not two but) 3 CDs.  It was just yesterday that I knew of this rare gift thus pls pardon our late thank you.  I am deeply moved by your generosity to your fans.  It may seem a small gift but it means a lot to us.  You see our mom was diagnosed with a spine condition a few years back and is disabled from the waist down.  Nonetheless, she retains her vibrant spirit and amour for life.  And listening to your CDs brings back her lovely past and happy tune. 

I also shared here pictures of our family, pls see jpeg file entitled Velasco Family.  The one at the left was taken during this year’s Fathers’ Day.  This was after attending the Sunday Feast at PICC.  Going to mass (and stroll after) as a whole family was our regular itinerary every Sunday.  But now, without our own vehicle, it is such a herculean task to bring mom along.  So to remedy this, we brought the Feast to her!!!  The picture at the right was taken yesterday.  For three weeks now, every Sunday, we gather with family and friends to listen to Bro. Bo’s Feast Video.  We have our break Sunday this coming Aug 3^rd and we would love to bring mom along to PICC (fingers crossed).

We have been experiencing a lot of grand miracles lately and you’re one of them

Thank you,

Chot

Calauan Deserted, Calauan Restored

The town of Calauan in Laguna was unknown  compared to its neighboring towns of Bay and Los Banos and the City of San Pablo.  But when news broke out, sadly it was of a criminal case against its mayor then.  And it never rose up from that shame.  Whenever I tell people of my origin, they would  eventually remember the infamous Mayor of Calauan.

But I share my dad's dream of a better hometown.  And as God promised in Isaiah 62, "No longer will you be called 'Forsaken'... but your new name will be 'God pleased with her.'"  I await until this prophesy comes true for my beloved town.  I await by the sidelines, praying for someone to act on it.  Maybe the local government, our parish, somebody, anybody?  I never thought that it can be our family.  With our "yes" God will start the work.  No rest is due until the town's full restoration.  Make noise, sing praises for the Lord did not forget his promise.  Glory will be renewed for Calauan, Laguna!

My Limits Shaken

I have this belief since I started working.  Ask me what? That the reason why I don't climb the corporate ladder is because I am not passionate with my profession.  I have accepted this belief as a fact and after 12 years in the corporate world I am still stuck in the same position even if I change companies.  Then an opportunity came and challenged this idea.

Just recently, I started doing part time business with Mary Kay (MK).  As we all know it is in the cosmetics industry and I love makeup. It was a match made in heaven.  I expected it be a breeze.  Talking about something you are passionate about is not that hard, right?  Not true.  I choke every time I share it with people.  Weird!!!  Why am I having this trouble with my area of expertise? 

Then I realized, it's not the "wrong" career or any other excuse - it is my mental limitation.

As a perceived solution, I have been attending talks from the positivity gurus in the Philippines, John Calub and Bro Bo Sanchez.  But merely attending seminars or reading books will not cut it.  I am still not applying the learning on a consistent basis.  Like quitting smoking, it has been a struggle for several years.

But I truly believe in my heart that this year would be better.  That I would finally change my mental attitude and as Jabez requested in his prayer on expanding his territory, I will similarly widen my capability to adopt a new and healthier mental attitude.

Just today, my MK mentor Ms Debbie was generous enough to let me sit in with the leaders of Batangas (whew) while skype-learning from Halina Rygiel, an MK leader herself from the US.

Allow me to share with you the important points of our conversation. Ms Debbie introduced me as a new Consultant "with a lot of potential".  She then asked what I thought about Ms Debbie's statement and what I want to achieve.

Chot: MAYBE the passion I have for cosmetics I want to turn that into my Mary Kay business.  For now, to build my team and HOPEFULLY be able to be up for the Hong Kong challenge (which is to be a director in 3 months' time) KINDA SCARY but I HOPE I can do it.

Halina (dear reader, brace yourself): I had the privilege to learn from Mary Kay herself and she said that when you catch yourself using the words "I hope..." and "I would..." tell yourself "cut, cut, cut" and replace these with "I will..." "I must..." "I can..." OK?

Chot: (reluctant) OK

Halina: OK! Then I definitely wish for you to go to Hong Kong.  Precious (she was confused with "Chot" so when Ms Deb said my name is "Precious", she loved it and starting calling me that), do you want to be a director?

Chot: (uncertain) Yes

Halina: Because your name goes well with director, you will be precious director.

Wow, isn't she wonderful?  And she loved my name.  Did you know that I changed my nickname from Precious to Chot to remove burden of the expectation of my "precious" name?  Then you meet someone who appreciates you without knowing you. What an inspiration (actually all of them are)

I believe this MK journey will be my training ground to actually apply disciplining my mind to be limitless. 

God has led me to this path, it is time :)