Spell TIME

People hope for a fresh start when a new year comes. Some people who are in tough situations still deny the negative vibes and wishing for at least a little change in their lives. Optimistic people may still feel inadequate due to constant competition in their environment. The short-lived desires that are inspired by the speeches of experts and sermons of spiritual leaders are like repetitive ingredients to our minds. Yet, they still give us hope.

The truth about making a plan is neither wrong nor bad. All plans when implemented are good. But not necessarily correct until you see the consequence.

Surprises happen. Reactions are sometimes delayed. Small things are sometimes ignored. And they all spell T-I-M-E.

There are few people who rarely speak. Most of them we don’t take notice of. But when you carefully listen to them, the words could give you the exact solution to your problem.

There are people who are very dear to you. But because you are catching up your own time at work and other extra curricular activities, you wouldn’t know that you’re already miles ahead of these people’s time. Leaving them alone, as if in the last days of their lives they could only say goodbye.

The year 2011 may not be a good year to our clan. My favorite uncle died in January. All of my uncles are kind but Tito Lando (or Tito Bems, as others would call him) was everyone’s favorite. I was in grade school when I learned that the best pork barbecue I ever tasted was his. He lived a simple life with only two purposes – To help other people and to make his nieces and nephews happy. He’s remembered as generous and thoughtful. Since I started working, I have had a very little chance to talk to him and to at least reciprocate the thoughts and the love he shared to me. I think all of us, as his nephews and nieces, couldn’t think of a single sad day being with this person.

The compassion we want to show is sometimes limited. We sometimes feel guilty for not having to exhibit the best that we have. Maybe we’re unconsciously balancing the situations in our lives. We are not aware which is supposed to weigh more.

We may be living behind the happiness. But we forget to face the sadness. Instead of correcting the mistakes, we depend on the soul of the lyrics of a song. We consume the temporary offer of vices, videos, and vanity. We step back and play within the comfort zone. All of which have the reasons to say life must go on. It’s like being in the frontline of a war.

Deadline is more important than timeline.

If you’re from the event industry, you are familiar with the terms “pancitan”, “cut-to-cut”, “segue”, “pass your paper”, etc. And when you ask a client when the deadline is, they’ll tell you a date as if it’s due yesterday. Unbelievable!

What you will hate and love about the projects in events regardless of those common quibbles is catching up the time because of a deadline. From brainstorming to conceptualization, from designing to fabrication, from preproduction to set-up, and to the last minute changes during the execution, the motivation you are aware of is that you have to think and act quickly. We can now prepare and implement a corporate event in two weeks as compared to what we used to do in two months. It is because we learned how to crystallize it with time.

It is also challenging to make the process work. Those different roles have a universal discipline and a common goal. More importantly, the beneficiary of perseverance and deliverables must be happy.

Many people have plans in life. Many can’t even plan because of uncertainties. Some are afraid to think about it. Some need to be inspired. Some have to be motivated. There are people who grew because they were challenged and they changed. Some individuals are surfing in the landscape of the oceans and wait till the next waves. Many people do not even know how to plan because of lack of understanding their purpose in life.

When I visited a friend in Sydney, Australia last year, I learned that the high school students are being trained with skills in preparation to challenging the real life regardless if they will continue to pursue university or not. In the present, it is unfortunate to say that many college graduates in our country are not equipped to face the tasks that the multinationals and corporate environment offers. The time that the students spend in a university may be less valuable to the demands if the system is not designed to adopt the need of the jobs, economy, and society. Not everyone is born to become an entrepreneur.

To the graduating students, do not rest for a while and look for a job only later on. Don’t think you’re still the babies of your parents. Immediately change your pacing. Look at how Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Richard Branson, and Mark Zuckerberg changed the world. Learn from our national heroes like Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio. They are timeless representation of the youth.

To the parents, learn how to listen and communicate with your children while they’re still young. It’s the best way to ensure them a positive outlook in life when they know that you listen and you address the right way to communicate even if your advice is not the best.

To my friends in their 20s and 30s, don’t worry if you are still confused about what you really want to do in life. Everyone will tell you to love what you do. I will tell you not to be afraid to start from the beginning until you find what will make you as a responsible and happy person. Build relationships with people while you’re still young. Your intellectual capacity is worthless if you have no time to unselfishly discover what other people need and like.

To my friends in their 40s, don’t think that life ends when you have a family. Do not make your kids as an excuse why you don’t want to fathom some important facts in life. Do not also use your kids why you don’t need to pursue new learning. You and your spouses must rediscover a new spring of joy with new interests. Where’s the saying “Life Begins at 40”?

I bet that everyone now is thinking about what will happen in 2012. It’s not to party like the end of the world for sure. Most people in my circle are excited to conquer the new dares. At least, they are preparing themselves emotionally and psychologically. In this holiday break, you might want to look back at the year that’s about to end. Think of the most stupid thing you did. Recall the most awkward situation you were in. Remember the most embarrassing thought you imagined. Take down notes of the people you offended. But make sure you burn it afterwards. Identify your haters (maybe start counting too), but forgive and throw their names up in the clouds.

Most importantly, count your blessings and opportunities. You’ve got it not because you’re good. They happened because of the time. It’s the time you could think and act quickly. It’s the time that you ask and pray that makes things happen. It’s the time that you consider precious and valuable. It is to be looking forward to the next turnaround in your life.