Are You Useful Now?

A couple of days ago, I got a chance to watch Lincoln. Yet again, filmmaker Steven Spielberg helmed a story so enchanting and moving, it ought to awaken your unknown love for history. It was a beautiful masterpiece centered on Lincoln's life as a father, husband, friend and as the 16th president of the United States who marshaled the freedom of the slaves.

But for me, the scene that lingered long and vividly was the heated confrontation between father (Abe Lincoln) and his first born son, Robert. The civil war was poised to end and Robert has been steered away to enlist for war by sending him to Boston to become a lawyer.

While visiting soldiers who were injured, the stirrings in Robert's heart to be useful now came alive and burning. A momentary lapse in Lincoln's part, a slap against a son's defiance, furthered his son's desire to its boiling point. With or without permission, Robert enlisted his heart and life for war.

It's meaningful and moving and touching because I feel the same way. I don't want to be useful tomorrow, I want to be useful now. Not five years after but now.

Maybe we all go through this stage and season of self-doubt. We question our worth as a person based on how useful we are now. Are we doing what we always wanted to do? Are we living for something bigger than ourselves? Are we happy? Are we making a difference? Are we changing the world? Are we useful?

These are questions that are real and scary. If you answered yes, good for you. But a no echos the restlessness from within. It's a silent cry of desperation seeking freedom from the bondage of mediocrity and the common life. To be useful means to be important. It's a human desire common to all but only a handful achieves.

But what does it really mean to be useful? Only you can tell because your life is yours to live. You don't need to be president or a noble soldier to feel fulfilled. Just look around you, examine your motives and notice the little differences you are making on other people's lives.

Usefulness is all about perspective. As long as you are living your life according to how you were wired then that's useful. Birds fly because they were created with wings. Flowers bloom, the sun rises and sets, the moon beams at night and fishes swim. They are who and what they are because of their specific design. And you are who you are because God created you that way.

The moment you are feeling useless, go back to your creator. Only He can tell you what you were wired for.

A Poem in Loving Memory of Sandy Brook Children

Photo Credits: Tim Tebow's twitter

GOODBYE FOR NOW

Oh, precious little ones!

How can we say goodbye?

The thought of never seeing you

Bring waves and waves of pain

How can we live like this?

When we will miss everything

Your innocent smile and energy

Even the naughty glint of your eyes

Who would have thought?

That fateful day was the last

Never again to hear your voice

And kiss you goodbye for school

No more birthdays to celebrate

Or grad ceremonies to attend
Not even a wedding to witness

You were a blessing 

A bundle of joy to behold

You taught us to live and love

How did we deserve such a gift?

If we can steal a day from death

Or even an hour will do

We will hug you one last time

And tell you, "We love you so!"

God wants you by His side

So we'll say goodbye for now

Go on and soar towards heaven

Where everything's happy and beautiful

No demanding moms nor angry dads

One day we'll be together again

Today, we live with your memories

We will miss you everyday.

We will love you forever.

Movie Review: Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

I heard that this movie is a contender for the Best in Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical award in the upcoming Golden Globes Awards 2013. And since I'm in the mood for a romcom flick, I decided to watch this one.

Based on the title, it doesn't sound like a comedy and a romantic one to boot. It seemed to me like an indie film or a documentary about salmon fishing. Good thing, there's the movie poster with Ewan McGregor and Emily Blunt sitting next to each other looking like they're engrossed in a serious, romantic conversation. Seeing the poster, you'd know that this movie is not your typical, make-believe and predictable Hollywood flicks which are mostly about sex and lame "love" stories.

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen is calm, light and warm. A delightful story between two irresistible characters - Dr. Andrew Jones, portrayed marvelously by McGregor, and Harriet Chetwode-Talbot played by Blunt.

A very ambitious and a visionary sheik, played by Amr Waked, brought the two together embarking on a theoretically possible project, in the same way that it is theoretically possible to send a man to Mars, of bringing salmon fishing in the Yemen. The fishing part is definitely an interesting ingredient for the movie. It brought something else to the story that picked my attention. Yes, it's about a love story but the movie also zeroed on faith as a special element of love. It was an excellent combination to showcase a special love that tugs at the heart.

The story is mostly unpredictable which is a pleasant surprise. Sure, there were some cliche moments but the story got hold of the audience's interest throughout the rest of the movie. The cast is generally adorable especially McGregor who was charming and cute with his accent. It was not over-the-top chemistry between the two actors but ironically very effective. I like that it was subtle, tender and very romantic.

The movie wasn't even too dramatic or intense. It was simply a unique story about love that was told very creatively which made the movie entertaining and worth watching.  

How to: Develop Self Confidence by Napoleon Hill

Photo Credits: http://talknerdy2me.org 

Numerous self-help authors, motivational speakers and a plethora of books would tell us that self confidence is a key element in the formula of success. In fact, self confidence is normally where the journey to dream fulfillment starts. Besides creating lofty dreams, one needs to believe in one's self in order to make things happen.

Some people are blessed to grow up in an environment that breeds a healthy self-image. Unfortunately, most of us, I believe, grew up unsure of our capabilities and potential because of demeaning words spoken to us when we were younger by our parents, friends and other people. We are living in a negative world where it is very difficult to be optimistic. We are surrounded with people that are hell bent on pulling us down.

But if we truly and badly want to be successful in this lifetime, we need to develop the virtue of self reliance. We need to bank on our strengths, abilities and character to turn our dreams into realities. Before we can even start, we need self confidence.

Here are 7 declarations that we can take advantage to nurture and develop our belief in ourselves. Say it out loud and declare it everyday. It will make a world of difference.

The 7 Steps to Self Confidence by Napoleon Hill:

1

"I know that I have the ability to accomplish all that I undertake. I know that to succeed, I have only to establish this belief in myself and follow it with vigorous, aggressive action. I will establish it." 

2

"I realize that my thoughts eventually reproduce themselves in material form and substance and become real in the physical state. Therefore, I will concentrate upon the daily task of thinking of the person that I intend to be and of drawing a mental picture of this person and of transforming this picture into reality."

3

"I am studying with the firm intention of mastering the fundamental principles through which I may attract to me the desirable things of life. Through this study, I am becoming more self-reliant and more cheerful. I am developing more sympathy for my fellow man, and I am becoming stranger, both mentally and physically. I am learning to smile that smile that plays upon the heart as well as on the lips."

4

"I am mastering and overpowering the habit of starting something that I do not finish. From this time forward, I will first plan all that I wish to do, making a clear mental picture of it, and then I will let nothing interfere with my plans until I have developed them into realities."  

5

"I have clearly mapped out and planned the work that I intend to follow for the ensuing five years. I have set a price upon my services for each of the five years, a price that I intend to command through strict application of the principle of efficient, satisfying service!" 

6

"I fully realize that genuine success will come only through strict application of he "Golden Rule" principles. I will, therefore, engage in no transaction which does not benefit alike all who participate in it. I will succeed by attracting to me the forces that I wish to use. I will induce others to serve me because of my willingness to serve them. I will gain the friendship of my fellow men because of my kindness and my willingness to be a friend. I will eliminate from my mind fear by developing faith. I will eliminate hatred and cynicism by developing love for humanity."

7

"I will learn to stand upon my feet and express myself in clear, concise, and simply language, and to speak with force and enthusiasm, in a matter that will carry conviction. I will cause others to become interested in me, because I will first become interested in them. I will eliminate selfishness and develop in its place the spirit of service." 

How to Help the Poor?

 "Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. 

Teach a man how to fish, feed him for a lifetime."

According to the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB), 2009 data shows that the magnitude of poor population in the Philippines is in 23.1 millions. (See data at NSCB website)

That is an astounding number. Unfortunately, it is a sad, scary truth that has been around for a long, long time. Even before and during Jesus' time, poverty already existed. Remember the poor widow who put in her last two very small copper coins as offerings (Mark 12:42)?

Yes, poverty is an epidemic and not only in the Philippines but around the globe. People die because of hunger. Millions of Filipino families live under a dollar everyday. They seldom eat three times a day. Children, disabled, men and women alike roam the streets of the cities to ask for alms. They live in the slums and most are jobless. 

Year after year, the state of poverty in the Philippines is getting worse. The number is ever increasing and if we do not put a halt to it, we will find ourselves in a sea of impoverished fellowmen.

But how do we help the poor? There are already a hundred NGOs around the country doing their share but it still doesn't seem to be enough. We see hundreds of on-going feeding programs, medical missions, and add to that those TV shows that give away cash prizes on a daily basis. Yes, these efforts help but after the meal was consumed and the prize money was gone, what happens next?

If we really want to help the poor, we need to stop offering band-aid solutions. These are temporary and forgettable. It doesn't deal with the root cause of the problem resulting in little to no difference at all. We need to come up with solutions that are meant to deal with the causes and not just the symptoms of the disease. Poverty is like a deadly disease that spreads like an epidemic because of lack of education, unavailability of decent jobs and poor mentality.

Poor people remains poor because they allow their situations and circumstances to dictate the course of their lives. Breaking free from poverty will never be a walk in the park. It will require hard work and grim determination to get past through the challenges and setbacks along the way. But the feat is possible because there are people who have already done it.

I came up with 4 E-STEPS on how we might be able to gradually eradicate poverty in the Philippines. This is not based on a study or research but this is merely based on my opinion, observations and readings.

Step 1: ENLIGHTEN

Changing one's poor mindset is a good place to start. They may be born into poverty but they don't have to die poor. They just need to understand that things CAN change for the better. Change the way they think and actions will follow through. 

Step 2: EMPOWER

As soon as the mind is ready, the next step is to prepare them for the long journey. They need to know that they have what it takes to do this. It's definitely not going to be easy but they need to know that there are people who are ready to guide, support and even love them.

Step 3: ENDEAVOR

If one has already set his mind to overcome poverty, it is time to set a goal, big enough that will challenge and motivate them to keep going even if the path is tough and hard.They need to have a target and they need to know where they are going. Setting a goal or an endeavor is essential for their success in beating poverty.

Step 4: EDUCATION

The tool that they need the most is education. A degree will not get them out of poverty but the experience of getting a diploma will widen their horizons and challenge their perspectives. Education is not the only solution but it is a key that will open doors of opportunities for our poor people.