" Alcohol provokes the desire but destroy the performance. "
I remember the scene in the movie "Unforgiven" where one of the hired killer was drinking, trying to get over his guilts, asked Clint if it was the same in the old days. Clint answered sarcastically, " I can't remember, I was drunk most of the time. " Even Barry Manilow said in a song "who could ease the pain much better than wine.
" We drink when we're happy, we drink when we're sad. " Every Irishman used to brag and there's even a story that it was a drunk who advised St. Andrew to end the game of Golf after 18 holes. The drunk said, "Since there are 18 rounds of drinks to a bottle of whisky, let us go home after 18 holes."
Wine is also called "spirit" because it brings out the other side of one's personality, usually the "Mr. Hyde part." My favorite cartoon character, Hagar The Horrible, use to say that its not because he drinks a lot of beer he has big guts, but because he has big guts so he can drink a lot beer.
One drunk reasoned out that there are more drunks in heaven than sober ones. It because when you drink, you get drunk ; when you get drunk, you go to sleep ; when you go to sleep, you commit no sin ; when you commit no sin, you go to heaven."
Some people drink because they want someone to talk to. Some don't want to talk so they drink until they get wasted. For most people, drinking is their way to socialize and have good time. And some, they drink to summon their courage to say things they could say when they are sober. But for people who have problems, they drink to drown away their sorrows.
In some unusual cases, drinking is a means of bringing out the hidden artistic attributes of some. Edgar Allan Poe wrote his famous poems and horror tales while he was drunk. So was Ambrose Bierce, a popular American writer, who writes best when he was drunk. Among local writers who were said writes better when they are drinking are Nick Joaquin and Rod Reyes.
The Prohibition Act of 1920, banning the sale of alcoholic drink, created more problems than the vice it is trying to get rid of. The illegal sale and transport of alcoholic drinks or "bootlegging" gave rise to organized crime. Mafia and gangsters like Al Capone became public figures in the prohibition era. It also phrased the idiom - "the real McCoy" - a term used by bootleggers to say that their whisky came from Edinburg distillery, G. Mackay and not a fake one.
"The Drunken Master" established Jacky Chan as an international superstar. The style is not really an exaggeration of the martial art prowess of adapting the moves of a drunk in fighting. When fighting defensively, playing possum or acting hurt, is a way to lure your opponent to attack recklessly making him open to counter moves.
Wine, liquor, drinks, or spirits, no matter what you call it, have always been a part of human history. It played a big part in the development of human culture, how they used it and how they try to cure and solve the problems it created. One relative even gave me this advice :
Wine is a good partner of every celebration. It could also be building blocks of a good friendship and some relationship. But its only good when it goes to your stomach. Once it goes to one's head, it works in reverse, for whatever you want to mend will be broken. And whatever you want to forget may turn out to be one that can't be forgotten. Just drink moderately, to double the fun, to share the joy, and not to cause any trouble.
Two drunks were arguing. The older guy said - "This is where I live." The younger guy said - " No, this is where I live." The older guy said - "You're wrong, this is my house." The younger guy countered - "You are mistaken, I live here." Then an old woman came out and said to the older guy - " Will you stop arguing and get it, and take your son with you."
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Saturday, February 25, 2017
XXIII. SINNER OR SAINTS
Frankly, its more fun to be a sinner. My younger days were written in wine, whoring and smoke. High school days were quite boring since I was like square grove trying to fit into a round hole. Then I came to know my cousins and my world was never the same again. Pure blooded Cavitenos, most of them spoiled and street smart. Never got into drugs though, tried smoking weed several times but I was so unlike my cousins and friends - I felt stupid getting high on something that could lead to graver things. I wanted to belong so I gave it a try for I knew then that I could never get them to "get high " reading high adventures like "Papillon" and "Jonathan Livinstone Seagull". Teen years was so exciting, we thought of nothing but having fun, and after graduating from college it was time to find new friends and different kind of fun.
Found work easily, a good salary, and plenty of new friends to have fun with. It was a continuation of my sinning years but to a higher degree since we have more money to burn. Most of us were single so we spent our nights wining and whoring around. I gave gambling a try but I was not good at it, so after losing 3 weeks salary in a single night I promised myself that I would never again hold cards in my hands. There were about 20 of us, former cadet engineers who were waiting for new job assignment after the old Marcos projects were scrapped by the new administration. It was a four year wait next to doing nothing, but the management was not willing to let us go since we were sort of highly trained for construction. We were looked upon as egoistic brats in the office, despised by old timers, receiving salaries higher than most of them but unproductive. It was not our fault though since the new government seemed to be more interested in villifying the old regime rather than serving the people's interest.
To make a long story short, I got married at the age of 27, the first one among my batchmates. Most of my friends opted to work overseas, while I quit work and tried my hand in the bookselling business. It was a complete turn around from my old world, dropped the wining and the night fun activities and devoted my time to build a new world with my partner. From sinner to saint, a lot of people just won't believe, but after a year of marriage I learned that having fun is different from having happiness. I became detached and led a solitary way of life minding only my business and my immediate family. Some misunderstanding with my siblings led me farther away but when you're at the right place where you have long wanted to be, life takes its own roots.
Maybe I got this all from my grandmother - she doesn't mind the other side - as long as she have what she need. She rarely steeped outside of their apartment for she knew that my grandfather will always be there to take of her needs. No worries, no jealousy, no problems, - she was a queen to my grandfather, yet grandpa never thought of himself as a king but a mere "hand of the queen." She knew that I love her and when she became bed ridden, she assured me that I need not bother about her since I was no doctor who can offer a cure, just a loving grandson she could call any time and would grieve when she is gone. My grandfather was completely devoted to her, so it never surprised me when he died a year later without any sign of sickness.
I have been married now for almost 30 years, living the kind of life my grandparents did, but blessed with more kids to share our life with. I cannot claim to be an ideal husband but just a simple happy one who's only claim for being the master of the house is the TV's remote control. I may not always prevail which TV program to watch but at least I hold the remote control and only I is empowered to switch on the channel.
Its a lot harder to stay on the right road than losing your way once in a while, but once you're used to it, its more fun than being in the sinner's path.
The rule is simple - if a relationship is to be kept a secret, then you should not be in it. Second, if what you would do needs an explanation, then don't do it. And third, if something goes wrong, no need to point fingers and ask why, just pick up where you left off and move on. And lastly, there are problems and there are real problems. When there's a solution, its not a problem. If things could not be remedied, then pray and just learn to live with it.
Thursday, February 23, 2017
XXII. PAIN AND FEAR GOES TOGETHER
" Muhammad Ali didn't punish me that much, but he knocked me out ! " George Foreman said in his interview after regaining the World Heavyweight Title from Michael Moorer at the age of 45. Watching again for the nth time how he became the oldest man ever to win the heavyweight title bring back memories of how things did not work out for him against an ageing Muhammad Ali. Without that upset win, heavyweight boxing would have been boring for nobody, not even Mike Tyson, would have beaten himin his prime. Don King would hear none of it, fitting Tyson against Foreman even when the latter suffered loses against Holyfield and another "great white hope Morrison".
One thing missing in Foreman's fight against Muhammad Ali was the fear factor - he thought Ali could not hurt him. From his own admission, he said he kept saying to himself that he just ran out of wind and Ali never hurt him. However, in his interview at the program 700 Club after he won the title from Michael Moorer, he laughingly admitted that it was a right hand that put him down for good. He was just so over confident, having tasted leather from stronger punchers and making mince meat out of Frazier and Norton, that the Ali fight would just be another million dollar pay check for bigger fights.
Muhammad Ali said, on the other hand, that it would be stupid not to fear the like of George Foreman. But he too was confident that he could out smart him in some way, tire him out since Ali knows that Foreman's stamina was yet to be tested in combat. And of course he also knew that for that big win to happen he must be able to handle a lot of pain. He trained harder than any of his previous fights. made other all people believe even his handlers that he would dance all night and go back to his old style - " float like a butterfly, sting like a bee" - but deep inside he knew he no longer have that old spring in his legs. One thing a fighter see that no other people see outside the ring, is the eyes of his opponent. He also feels the changes the way he breath, the lessening sting in the punches, and the sense of frustration when he is unable to mow you down. That's when your hours of training pays off. your instinct will dictate when to strike at the right moment.
" Every fisherman knows the danger that awaits them when they sail the deep sea, yet everyday they go fishing. " said Vincent Van Gohn. Courage they say is not the absence of fear but our ability to overcome it. Training ourselves to handle the pains prepares us to face those fears. Every experienced hunter will tell you - a lion won't attack its target unless it is running away, it waits until fear overcomes its prey.
" He who could not endure the bad will not live long to enjoy the good. "
-- Yiddish Proverb
" Fear can keep us up all night long but faith makes on fine pillow."
-- Philip Gulley
" People sleep well at night only because there are men who are stand up to do
violence on their behalf. " -- George Orwell
" No man can tame a tiger into a kitten by stroking it. " -- F.D. Roosevelt
" In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always win,
- not through strength but by perseverance. "
-- H. Jackson
" Force no matter how concealed, begets resistance. " -- Lakota proverb
" If they make a better shield, we make sharper spear. " -- Zulu proverb
" A tree grows strong by holding itself against the wind.
Life is what we do when we are young. If you don't sweat
when you are young, you will beg when you are old. "
-- Ewe proverb
" Competition is a painful thing but it produces great results."
-- Jerry Flint
" I'm a little wounded but I am not slain ;
I will lay me down for to bleed for a while ;
Then I will rise and fight you again. -- John Dryden
" What count is not the size of the dog in a fight -
its the size of the fight in the dog that counts. " -- Dwight Eisenhower
" Its not dying for one country that wins war : its having the the
other poor bastard die for their country that wins war. "
-- Gen, George Patton
" When you see a wall, find a way to go through it,
if you cannot find a way to go around it. " -- Michael jordan
" You can build a throne out of bayonets,
but you can't sit on it. -- Gerald Hachman
" It is not power that corrupt but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts
those who wield it, and fear of the scourge of power corrupts
those who are subject to it. "
-- Aung San Suu Kyi
" Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand,
the spines of others are stiffened. "
-- Billy Graham
" Fear is the darkroom where negatives are developed."
-- E. L.
" Fear is your best friend. It teaches you how to fight,
and it teaches you how to win. " -- Rocky Balboa
One thing missing in Foreman's fight against Muhammad Ali was the fear factor - he thought Ali could not hurt him. From his own admission, he said he kept saying to himself that he just ran out of wind and Ali never hurt him. However, in his interview at the program 700 Club after he won the title from Michael Moorer, he laughingly admitted that it was a right hand that put him down for good. He was just so over confident, having tasted leather from stronger punchers and making mince meat out of Frazier and Norton, that the Ali fight would just be another million dollar pay check for bigger fights.
Muhammad Ali said, on the other hand, that it would be stupid not to fear the like of George Foreman. But he too was confident that he could out smart him in some way, tire him out since Ali knows that Foreman's stamina was yet to be tested in combat. And of course he also knew that for that big win to happen he must be able to handle a lot of pain. He trained harder than any of his previous fights. made other all people believe even his handlers that he would dance all night and go back to his old style - " float like a butterfly, sting like a bee" - but deep inside he knew he no longer have that old spring in his legs. One thing a fighter see that no other people see outside the ring, is the eyes of his opponent. He also feels the changes the way he breath, the lessening sting in the punches, and the sense of frustration when he is unable to mow you down. That's when your hours of training pays off. your instinct will dictate when to strike at the right moment.
" Every fisherman knows the danger that awaits them when they sail the deep sea, yet everyday they go fishing. " said Vincent Van Gohn. Courage they say is not the absence of fear but our ability to overcome it. Training ourselves to handle the pains prepares us to face those fears. Every experienced hunter will tell you - a lion won't attack its target unless it is running away, it waits until fear overcomes its prey.
" He who could not endure the bad will not live long to enjoy the good. "
-- Yiddish Proverb
" Fear can keep us up all night long but faith makes on fine pillow."
-- Philip Gulley
" People sleep well at night only because there are men who are stand up to do
violence on their behalf. " -- George Orwell
" No man can tame a tiger into a kitten by stroking it. " -- F.D. Roosevelt
" In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always win,
- not through strength but by perseverance. "
-- H. Jackson
" Force no matter how concealed, begets resistance. " -- Lakota proverb
" If they make a better shield, we make sharper spear. " -- Zulu proverb
" A tree grows strong by holding itself against the wind.
Life is what we do when we are young. If you don't sweat
when you are young, you will beg when you are old. "
-- Ewe proverb
" Competition is a painful thing but it produces great results."
-- Jerry Flint
" I'm a little wounded but I am not slain ;
I will lay me down for to bleed for a while ;
Then I will rise and fight you again. -- John Dryden
" What count is not the size of the dog in a fight -
its the size of the fight in the dog that counts. " -- Dwight Eisenhower
" Its not dying for one country that wins war : its having the the
other poor bastard die for their country that wins war. "
-- Gen, George Patton
" When you see a wall, find a way to go through it,
if you cannot find a way to go around it. " -- Michael jordan
" You can build a throne out of bayonets,
but you can't sit on it. -- Gerald Hachman
" It is not power that corrupt but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts
those who wield it, and fear of the scourge of power corrupts
those who are subject to it. "
-- Aung San Suu Kyi
" Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand,
the spines of others are stiffened. "
-- Billy Graham
" Fear is the darkroom where negatives are developed."
-- E. L.
" Fear is your best friend. It teaches you how to fight,
and it teaches you how to win. " -- Rocky Balboa
Sunday, February 19, 2017
XXI. HAKUNA MATATA : IT MEANS NO WORRY
"Hakuna Matata", what a wonderful phrase. It means no worries, for the rest of your days. Its a problem free philosophy, when the world turn its back on you, you turn your back against the world. It was Timon and Pumba's way of living a happy life until they stumbled upon a young Simba, whom they will soon help to take back the kingdom his evil uncle Scar took away from his father, Mufasa, the Lion King.
Its easy to lose your self in the city, so crowded, so many people, so many choices. But its a lot easier to be alone, you can choose the people you can blend with as well as those you can ignore. Unlike in the village where you have to know everybody and be nice to everybody, in the city its okay for you not to know your neighbors. You just pretend that you didn't notice their faces as you passes by, or you don't go out of your apartment like my grandmother did in her last ten years of life. Grandpa was her world, the windows her only means to see the other side of it, and we and some other relative visitors to connect with.
My grandparents decided to sell everything they own in the barrio to help my mother, their only daughter, build a home of our own in the city. My grandmother was turning 70 when they moved to the city, living with us under the same roof, happy for each and everyone of us, but not used to not being the master of the house. She never developed the fondness for television, or to a crowded home, so they asked to move to one of the apartment we rent out so she and grandpa could have more privacy. I did not move with them but I stayed there most of the time to run errands. Later, they took in some relatives as boarders so they could have some extra money for their expenses.
Every evening was story telling time at their place, with almost all the boarders at home from work, most of them nieces and nephews of my grandparents. I was a teenager then, I listen to them for some wisdom and I took care of the comedy part of the conversations. Grandma always have something for me, and my uncles usually treat me to free movies and food. It was the best treat I had in my young days, a short stop after I have finished my chores at home, where I never get to watch what I wanted on TV anyway. When grandma got sick, Mom decided to have me stay with them. To them, I was more like a son they never had.
My grandma was bedridden for almost two, unable to stand up, but able to sit down by the window. her only connection to the world out side. The city was alien to her, she was happy with Grandpa doing everything for her, me to run errands, our family to cheer her up from time time, and relatives who visited her to remind her that she was a good person. She said she she needed little to get by, simple needs and simple desires, so why bother about worrying about other things. She was sick and I was no doctor, so I need not worry about her 'cause I could do nothing to ease her pains. She tried hard not to show her anguish especially at night so she would not disrupt my sleep, but I know she was hurting since grandpa was always awake by her side caressing her to ease her pains. She too was grandpa's life, and I felt how lost he was when grandma died.
Grandma saw that each of us, one by one were doing good, getting the education we need. I was assigned to work on a job site over a hundred kilometers away, with no means of communication except short wave radio, so there was no way they could have told me that grandma was dying. I go home every two weeks after payday but one Wednesday morning while supervising some excavation near the access road I just felt the urge of coming home. I was in my working clothes, the town proper was 30 kilometers away from our job site, and there was no more room inside the Land Cruiser so I have to ride on the hood. On town while marketing for our supplies, I asked a friend to fill in for my absence and I caught a bus on my way home. When I reached home, my Mom was surprised to see me, cried and told me that grandma just died. It might been just a coincidence but it struck me real hard - she wanted me to be there before she goes. I was just a few minutes late.
Grandpa took her death mildly, feeling relieved that her pains had finally ended. I asked to be re-assigned to our main office so at least he could have someone close to look after him. The same thing he said - no need to worry - I could keep him company that only he could heal his loneliness. He doesn't want to be a burden and everyday when I go home I usually find him sitting by the window quietly. We talk some but the evenings were usually quiet with me trying to catch some sleep and he trying the same. A month short of one year, grandpa too died, maybe more out of loneliness than anything else.
Worrying is nonsense - things happen for a reason, and bad things usually don't last long. Grandma have taught me well - how to clean the house, do laundry, mend my clothes, and other home and farm activities without getting bored. Doing things out of obligations will always be like dragging a sack full of rice, boring and tiring, but once you learn how to love whatever you are doing, your mind is free to think of other things. I may have swayed a bit in my younger days, but I am right where I should be. Handling every hardships and problems that come my way but always making sure that no matter what, the people around, my family, are happy that I am still with them.
Its easy to lose your self in the city, so crowded, so many people, so many choices. But its a lot easier to be alone, you can choose the people you can blend with as well as those you can ignore. Unlike in the village where you have to know everybody and be nice to everybody, in the city its okay for you not to know your neighbors. You just pretend that you didn't notice their faces as you passes by, or you don't go out of your apartment like my grandmother did in her last ten years of life. Grandpa was her world, the windows her only means to see the other side of it, and we and some other relative visitors to connect with.
My grandparents decided to sell everything they own in the barrio to help my mother, their only daughter, build a home of our own in the city. My grandmother was turning 70 when they moved to the city, living with us under the same roof, happy for each and everyone of us, but not used to not being the master of the house. She never developed the fondness for television, or to a crowded home, so they asked to move to one of the apartment we rent out so she and grandpa could have more privacy. I did not move with them but I stayed there most of the time to run errands. Later, they took in some relatives as boarders so they could have some extra money for their expenses.
Every evening was story telling time at their place, with almost all the boarders at home from work, most of them nieces and nephews of my grandparents. I was a teenager then, I listen to them for some wisdom and I took care of the comedy part of the conversations. Grandma always have something for me, and my uncles usually treat me to free movies and food. It was the best treat I had in my young days, a short stop after I have finished my chores at home, where I never get to watch what I wanted on TV anyway. When grandma got sick, Mom decided to have me stay with them. To them, I was more like a son they never had.
My grandma was bedridden for almost two, unable to stand up, but able to sit down by the window. her only connection to the world out side. The city was alien to her, she was happy with Grandpa doing everything for her, me to run errands, our family to cheer her up from time time, and relatives who visited her to remind her that she was a good person. She said she she needed little to get by, simple needs and simple desires, so why bother about worrying about other things. She was sick and I was no doctor, so I need not worry about her 'cause I could do nothing to ease her pains. She tried hard not to show her anguish especially at night so she would not disrupt my sleep, but I know she was hurting since grandpa was always awake by her side caressing her to ease her pains. She too was grandpa's life, and I felt how lost he was when grandma died.
Grandma saw that each of us, one by one were doing good, getting the education we need. I was assigned to work on a job site over a hundred kilometers away, with no means of communication except short wave radio, so there was no way they could have told me that grandma was dying. I go home every two weeks after payday but one Wednesday morning while supervising some excavation near the access road I just felt the urge of coming home. I was in my working clothes, the town proper was 30 kilometers away from our job site, and there was no more room inside the Land Cruiser so I have to ride on the hood. On town while marketing for our supplies, I asked a friend to fill in for my absence and I caught a bus on my way home. When I reached home, my Mom was surprised to see me, cried and told me that grandma just died. It might been just a coincidence but it struck me real hard - she wanted me to be there before she goes. I was just a few minutes late.
Grandpa took her death mildly, feeling relieved that her pains had finally ended. I asked to be re-assigned to our main office so at least he could have someone close to look after him. The same thing he said - no need to worry - I could keep him company that only he could heal his loneliness. He doesn't want to be a burden and everyday when I go home I usually find him sitting by the window quietly. We talk some but the evenings were usually quiet with me trying to catch some sleep and he trying the same. A month short of one year, grandpa too died, maybe more out of loneliness than anything else.
Worrying is nonsense - things happen for a reason, and bad things usually don't last long. Grandma have taught me well - how to clean the house, do laundry, mend my clothes, and other home and farm activities without getting bored. Doing things out of obligations will always be like dragging a sack full of rice, boring and tiring, but once you learn how to love whatever you are doing, your mind is free to think of other things. I may have swayed a bit in my younger days, but I am right where I should be. Handling every hardships and problems that come my way but always making sure that no matter what, the people around, my family, are happy that I am still with them.
Friday, February 17, 2017
XX. NO READ, NO WRITE, YET HE TAUGHT ME A LOTe
I grew up with my grandparents. My grandfather, born in 1912, was a farmer and he never learned how to read and write. My parents were in the city working and I only got to live with them when I started going to school. I lost my grandparents almost 40 years ago, and yet the lessons I learned from them are still fresh in my memories especially now that I too is in my twilight years.
The time was in the 1960's, and the farm was the only world I knew then. Our farm was situated some 7 kilometers from the town proper, and you have to walk the distance if you want a haircut or something. The market place was open only twice a week so my grandfather have to buy a week's supply of food and other needs. But he always buy twice more than what we need of sugar, salt, bar soap, and some other things. We were quite well off compared to our neighbors and my grandparents love to share whatever we have that others lacked. We have the best farm lot in the barrio and our produce were more than enough for the family so it was open to all relatives who come in need of something.
My grandfather was a hardworking man, and being uneducated, he like to listen to people who have some stories to tell. We get most of the stories from the a lottery type gambling collector called Jueteng since he walked through the barrio to the town proper everyday to collect bets and remit them to their gambling head. Every late afternoon he was waved by my grandfather for some "merienda" and we get to listen to his fascinating stories he gathered. Grandpa listened attentively to all his stories, amused but not exactly believing all of them - he just wanted to be updated on what's going on in the the other parts of the town. Once the visitor has left, he would recall some of the stories to me and say his piece about some of them. The stories mostly come from other people, while the lessons I learn from him almost all came from his example.
One day after we finished planting peanuts he got some seeds left, threw and spread them in the fields. I asked why and he told me it was for the birds so they won't dig up what we have planted. Each time we gather fruits from our trees he also leave some fruits for the birds and some on the ground for other animal scavengers. He said that God gave us plenty so we have to share them with other creatures that He made. Grandpa said he only planted the trees but it was God who made it grow and bear fruit.
He once saw a retarded child being fed by its mother and asked to himself how could parents love that child. Years later, my grandmother bore a girl who was paralyzed neck down. They loved and cared for the child until her death some seven years later and he told me that was how he got the valuable reason of how we should cherish life no matter how it was given to you. They were soon blessed with another girl, their only child, who later became my mother.
But I guess the most valuable lesson he imparted with me was trying to bring to bring happiness to the people he loved. He loved my mother so much that he willingly sold everything they have to provide us a home in the city. He and my grandmother were forced to abandon the life they have known since childhood and lived with us in the city where things were so unfamiliar to them. My parents were burdened with educating all the eight of us so my grandfather with only a $50 pension to live with have to find other ways to earn extra. My grandmother rarely stepped out of their apartment just watching the world go by through the window but never have I seen her in a sorrowful mood since grandpa took care of everything for her.
My grandfather swept the streets and earned extra from the sidewalk vendors' tip for taking care of their garbage for them. He didn't mind getting his hands dirty, he has to provide my grandma with some extra money since she was used to giving and it was a tradition for elders to give some fare money to relatives who come to visit her. In fairness, most of her relatives visit her to show gratitude for the things they did to them, and my grandparents always leave their door open. I lived with them until their dying days, and though I seldom hear them talk to each other I always felt the warmth of their relationship.
My grandfather died almost exactly a year after my grandmother passed away. He was in good health but succumbed to cardiac arrest the doctors said but I'm sure that he died of a broken heart. Grandma was his life, the only life he knew, Mom was about to migrate to Canada with my father and other siblings and he doesn't want to be in the way.
He never asked me to teach him to read and write, he just wanted to listen to my stories. I told him stories, jokes, gossips, anything as long as I keep on talking he listened and each time I got something from him. But I got more from him than the extra pesos he slipped in my pocket - he gave the kind of life I have always wanted. I have five kids and a wife and plenty of love to share about ...
XX. FRANK SINATRA CANNOT SING ...
In the bestselling book by Kitty Kelly - " His Way : The Unauthorized Biography of Frank Sinatra ", an interesting anecdote showed Frank's true character as an aspiring singer who sincerely wanted to improve his craft. Sinatra had been unsuccessfully hopping from one night spot to another for about ten years in his early career as a professional singer, hoping for a talent scout to give him a much needed break.
Then one night, a voice teacher spotted him, listening how well he was able to dish out some ballads, decided to wait for him to give Frank a piece of advice. The voice teacher told Frank that he has a good voice but he still doesn't know how to sing. Instead of feeling offended, Frank decided to heed the old man's advice and took singing lessons.
He developed his own style, dropping the Bing Crosby songs and later became a bigger star his idol. And the rest is history ...
Frank Sinatra did stop there, even when he was lording it over in the music world he was still open to some suggestions. He acted on movies and starred in most of them but willingly played supporting lead to Burt Lancaster in the movie " From Here to Eternity" where he won the Oscar Award. His career also suffered some downturns that he decided to have a friend compose a song " My Way " as farewell to his fans but instead revived his stars in Hollywood. He was an example of a star who never rested on his laurels, lived his life the way he wanted, gave some and took some, for the betterment of his goals.
Criticisms - solitary shots should be ignored, but when they come from several directions, its time to pay attention. As someone once said : " If one calls you a donkey, ignore him ! If two calls you a donkey, check your hoof prints. If three call you a donkey, get a saddle. " ( from Marshall Shelley ).
Here are some interesting food for thought about criticisms :
" The trouble with an "open Mind", of course, is that people will insist on coming along
and try to put things in it. "
-- Terry Pranchett
" Most people don't mind criticisms, as long as its about someone else. "
-- Susan Weiner
" If you accept the expectations of others, especially the negative ones, then you will
never change the outcome. "
-- Michael Jordan
" Critics are like eunuchs - they how it is done, they see how it is done, but they just
can't do it. "
" Pay attention to your enemies, for they are the first to discover your mistakes."
-- Antisthenes
Then one night, a voice teacher spotted him, listening how well he was able to dish out some ballads, decided to wait for him to give Frank a piece of advice. The voice teacher told Frank that he has a good voice but he still doesn't know how to sing. Instead of feeling offended, Frank decided to heed the old man's advice and took singing lessons.
He developed his own style, dropping the Bing Crosby songs and later became a bigger star his idol. And the rest is history ...
Frank Sinatra did stop there, even when he was lording it over in the music world he was still open to some suggestions. He acted on movies and starred in most of them but willingly played supporting lead to Burt Lancaster in the movie " From Here to Eternity" where he won the Oscar Award. His career also suffered some downturns that he decided to have a friend compose a song " My Way " as farewell to his fans but instead revived his stars in Hollywood. He was an example of a star who never rested on his laurels, lived his life the way he wanted, gave some and took some, for the betterment of his goals.
Criticisms - solitary shots should be ignored, but when they come from several directions, its time to pay attention. As someone once said : " If one calls you a donkey, ignore him ! If two calls you a donkey, check your hoof prints. If three call you a donkey, get a saddle. " ( from Marshall Shelley ).
Here are some interesting food for thought about criticisms :
" The trouble with an "open Mind", of course, is that people will insist on coming along
and try to put things in it. "
-- Terry Pranchett
" Most people don't mind criticisms, as long as its about someone else. "
-- Susan Weiner
" If you accept the expectations of others, especially the negative ones, then you will
never change the outcome. "
-- Michael Jordan
" Critics are like eunuchs - they how it is done, they see how it is done, but they just
can't do it. "
" Pay attention to your enemies, for they are the first to discover your mistakes."
-- Antisthenes
Friday, February 10, 2017
XIX. KNOWING WHAT YOU ARE ...
" When God made an oyster, he guaranteed his absolute economic and social
security. He built the oyster a house, his shell, to shelter him and protect him from his enemies. When hungry, the oyster simply opens his shell and food rushes in for him. He has freedom from want.
But when God created the eagle He declared : " The blue sky is the limit -
build you own house. " So the eagle build on the highest mountain. Storm
threatens him every day. For food he flies through miles of rain and snow,
and wind. But think of it, the eagle, not the oyster, is the emblem of
America. "
-- Morris Mandel, The Jewish Press
They say that there are three kinds of people - those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who ask, what happened ? Knowing which kind you are in solves half of the problem. Some people succeed, some people just couldn't fit in, and some people are so confused that they know where they are going. It pays to listen to your heart. Which would you rather be ? Would like to be an oyster, endowed with blessings from above and live in a shell ? Or would you rather be an eagle, full of of color and adventure but unsure of the future ?
America is the symbol of endless opportunities. Its like an eagle that can soar way above everyone else. But like an eagle that has soared so high, it has very little time to nestle at its home and and just throw out his eaglets in the open so they could learn how to fly. Riding high in the skies, and seeing the world way up high, no way to go but down when they can no longer fly.
An oyster on the other hand simply watches the world go by. Its life may sound so boring, never gone to other places, at times hurting but deep inside it grows a pearl. A precious pearl, like a jewel , whose value appreciates even when the oyster which is its source has long been gone. The eagle might have soared to greater heights but an oyster produces a pearl that will adorn its future generations.
Western philosophy teaches that there is no such thing as an impossibility if you are willing to take the risks and put your heart into it. Happiness and success are measured in form of riches and fame and glory. Athletes aimed to be the greatest in their field. Businessmen competes against each other not only for the riches but to be called number one. Movie stars try to outshine each other, earning more than they could spend. Yet a lot of times, the happiness they seek in riches and fame eludes them.
Oriental philosophy on the other hand teaches how to be at peace with one's self. It doesn't teaches one to be rich but how to find happiness and enlightenment. It will not teach you how to fly, or soar through the skies, but will teach you how to develop the pearl inside you. It will not teach you rise up to the top but how to go down to other people's level so you could understand. It will not teach you what you can be but what you are and what you should be.
Here are some thoughts that can guide as by :
" There two ways to study butterflies ; chase them with nets and then inspect their dead bodies, or sit quietly in a garden and watch them dance among the flowers"
-- N. Bassman
" Success is getting what you want,
Happiness is liking what you get . " -- H. Jackson Brown
" How well we do is determined not just by our gifts and grit, but also by social
background, networks and family connections - powerfully - by how our
parents did. Life is not merely a foot race, but a relay race.
It matters a lot how much headway the previous runner has made when
hands you the baton. "
-- William Rasperry
" You can't have everything !
Where would you put it ? " -- Steven Wright
" Depend on the rabbit's for if you will,
but remember, it didn't work for the rabbit ! "
-- R. E. Shaw
security. He built the oyster a house, his shell, to shelter him and protect him from his enemies. When hungry, the oyster simply opens his shell and food rushes in for him. He has freedom from want.
But when God created the eagle He declared : " The blue sky is the limit -
build you own house. " So the eagle build on the highest mountain. Storm
threatens him every day. For food he flies through miles of rain and snow,
and wind. But think of it, the eagle, not the oyster, is the emblem of
America. "
-- Morris Mandel, The Jewish Press
They say that there are three kinds of people - those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who ask, what happened ? Knowing which kind you are in solves half of the problem. Some people succeed, some people just couldn't fit in, and some people are so confused that they know where they are going. It pays to listen to your heart. Which would you rather be ? Would like to be an oyster, endowed with blessings from above and live in a shell ? Or would you rather be an eagle, full of of color and adventure but unsure of the future ?
America is the symbol of endless opportunities. Its like an eagle that can soar way above everyone else. But like an eagle that has soared so high, it has very little time to nestle at its home and and just throw out his eaglets in the open so they could learn how to fly. Riding high in the skies, and seeing the world way up high, no way to go but down when they can no longer fly.
An oyster on the other hand simply watches the world go by. Its life may sound so boring, never gone to other places, at times hurting but deep inside it grows a pearl. A precious pearl, like a jewel , whose value appreciates even when the oyster which is its source has long been gone. The eagle might have soared to greater heights but an oyster produces a pearl that will adorn its future generations.
Western philosophy teaches that there is no such thing as an impossibility if you are willing to take the risks and put your heart into it. Happiness and success are measured in form of riches and fame and glory. Athletes aimed to be the greatest in their field. Businessmen competes against each other not only for the riches but to be called number one. Movie stars try to outshine each other, earning more than they could spend. Yet a lot of times, the happiness they seek in riches and fame eludes them.
Oriental philosophy on the other hand teaches how to be at peace with one's self. It doesn't teaches one to be rich but how to find happiness and enlightenment. It will not teach you how to fly, or soar through the skies, but will teach you how to develop the pearl inside you. It will not teach you rise up to the top but how to go down to other people's level so you could understand. It will not teach you what you can be but what you are and what you should be.
Here are some thoughts that can guide as by :
" There two ways to study butterflies ; chase them with nets and then inspect their dead bodies, or sit quietly in a garden and watch them dance among the flowers"
-- N. Bassman
" Success is getting what you want,
Happiness is liking what you get . " -- H. Jackson Brown
" How well we do is determined not just by our gifts and grit, but also by social
background, networks and family connections - powerfully - by how our
parents did. Life is not merely a foot race, but a relay race.
It matters a lot how much headway the previous runner has made when
hands you the baton. "
-- William Rasperry
" You can't have everything !
Where would you put it ? " -- Steven Wright
" Depend on the rabbit's for if you will,
but remember, it didn't work for the rabbit ! "
-- R. E. Shaw
XVIII. WHO HAS EVER HEARD OF TANCY LEE, BOXER ?
In 1915, Jimmy Wilde faced an unknown challenger by the name of Tancy Lee. He was Flyweight Champion of the World and has racked up 103 straight wins without a defeat. stopping 88 opponents. Tancy Lee knew he was fighting a legend, but he has nothing to lose so he went all out taking every punishment Jimmy Wilde dished out. Then in the 17th round he ended Wilde's undefeated string of 103 wins knocking him out and establishing himself as the first Scottish to win a British title.
Jimmy Wilde's record will never be broken considering that he fought 28 times in 1911, his first year of boxing scoring 20 knockouts. He finished his career with a record of 132 wins, 3 losses, and 1 draw. He retired after 2 consecutive losses by knock-out, the last against Filipino fighter nicknamed Pancho Villa. He was regarded as the greatest British boxer of all time. As for Tancy Lee, he never gained much fame especially after Wilde scored an 11th round stoppage on their return bout a year later. He was simply known as the fighter who stopped the longest winning streak in professional boxing at 93 wins, though other boxing historians disputed the numbers and claimed the record should be 103.
It was a simple case where a great boxer was not in his best condition while fighting a not so great boxer who was fighting at his best. The real story behind the upset was never glorified that much since Jimmy Wilde was able to bounce back winning more than 40 fights after the loss. Tancy's win was not as dramatic as Muhammad Ali's upset of Sonny Liston in 1964, or Joe Frazier's winning " The Fight Of the Century" against the undefeated Muhammad Ali in 1971. But maybe the most dramatic upset was the one won by Buster Douglas against the then undefeated Mike Tyson in 1990.
In the movie " The Undisputed ", Monroe Hutchens played by Wesley Snipes remarked :
" I live inside my head. I don't worry a lot for I know the day will come when
someone younger, stronger, better conditioned and better motivated will beat the
hell out of me. When that day happens, then I'll just fade in the background. "
The same with the "Rocky III" loss to Clubber Lang, Trainer Mickey told Rocky that his title defense were not fixed for him to win. They were hand-picked since their styles will not pose a problem to Rocky, he just got civilized. The hunger to win was no longer there and it would take a lot of re-training to get back his "eye of the tiger" look.
It was a simple case where a great boxer was not in his best condition while fighting a not so great boxer who was fighting at his best. The real story behind the upset was never glorified that much since Jimmy Wilde was able to bounce back winning more than 40 fights after the loss. Tancy's win was not as dramatic as Muhammad Ali's upset of Sonny Liston in 1964, or Joe Frazier's winning " The Fight Of the Century" against the undefeated Muhammad Ali in 1971. But maybe the most dramatic upset was the one won by Buster Douglas against the then undefeated Mike Tyson in 1990.
In the movie " The Undisputed ", Monroe Hutchens played by Wesley Snipes remarked :
" I live inside my head. I don't worry a lot for I know the day will come when
someone younger, stronger, better conditioned and better motivated will beat the
hell out of me. When that day happens, then I'll just fade in the background. "
The same with the "Rocky III" loss to Clubber Lang, Trainer Mickey told Rocky that his title defense were not fixed for him to win. They were hand-picked since their styles will not pose a problem to Rocky, he just got civilized. The hunger to win was no longer there and it would take a lot of re-training to get back his "eye of the tiger" look.
Thursday, February 9, 2017
XVII. KNOWING WHO YOU ARE
" Do not forget who you are. The rest of the world knows. Wear it like an armor. So that they could not use it against you. " Tyrion Lannister reminded Jon Snow in a scene in The Games of Thrones, Season 1. Two contrasting characters of the series, the first one having accepted his limitations and knowing that the only way he could fit in the battle royale is to be able to outtalk and outhink everyone. Jon Snow on the other hand despite the gifts of royal standing and natural skills unable to deal with the stigma of being a bastard son.
" The real mark of success is when you had become the kind of person
you have always pretended to be.
-- John Wayne
" I am what I am 'coz I am what I am " -- Popeye the Sailor
" Always be the first version of your self instead of a
second-rate version of somebody else. "
-- Judy Garland
" Knowing others is wisdom,
knowing yourself is enlightenment " -- Lao Tzu
" The greatest gift that anyone can give to you,
Will be for you to see yourself the way I do ..."
-- The Greatest Gift (song)
Frank Sinatra had been singing professionally for about ten years but never got beyond night clubs. He knows he has a good voice but he can't understand why talent scouts he invites to his performances seemed not to interested in hiring him. Then one night on one of his performances, a voice teacher approached him and said that he has a good voice but he doesn't know how to sing. Instead of feeling insulted he politely asked why and this was the voice teacher's answer :
" You have a good voice but want to sound like Bing Crosby. Use your speaking voice and fill your lungs with more air. If you want to learn how to sing start getting road works ( run ). " ( and the rest is history )
Frank Sinatra knew he was good but he never knew he was that good. He loved what he was doing and if some people can make him do things better he was willing to learn. Even when he was at the top, he did not rest on his laurels, he kept on learning and sharing what he earned with his friends.
" The real mark of success is when you had become the kind of person
you have always pretended to be.
-- John Wayne
" I am what I am 'coz I am what I am " -- Popeye the Sailor
" Always be the first version of your self instead of a
second-rate version of somebody else. "
-- Judy Garland
" Knowing others is wisdom,
knowing yourself is enlightenment " -- Lao Tzu
" The greatest gift that anyone can give to you,
Will be for you to see yourself the way I do ..."
-- The Greatest Gift (song)
Frank Sinatra had been singing professionally for about ten years but never got beyond night clubs. He knows he has a good voice but he can't understand why talent scouts he invites to his performances seemed not to interested in hiring him. Then one night on one of his performances, a voice teacher approached him and said that he has a good voice but he doesn't know how to sing. Instead of feeling insulted he politely asked why and this was the voice teacher's answer :
" You have a good voice but want to sound like Bing Crosby. Use your speaking voice and fill your lungs with more air. If you want to learn how to sing start getting road works ( run ). " ( and the rest is history )
Frank Sinatra knew he was good but he never knew he was that good. He loved what he was doing and if some people can make him do things better he was willing to learn. Even when he was at the top, he did not rest on his laurels, he kept on learning and sharing what he earned with his friends.
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
XVI. NO ONE IS RICH ENOUGH TO BUY BACK THE PAST
" Lies makes a problem part of the future ;
Truth makes a problem part of the past. "
-- Rick Pitino
" No one is rich enough to buy back the past ,
but we could make the future rich . "
-- Anonymous
" Mistakes are a part of life.
It is the response to the error that counts. " -- Nikki Giovanni
" The past actually happened but history is
only what someone wrote down. " -- A. Whitney Brown
" What lies behind us and what lies before us are small
compared to what lies within us. "
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson
" Memories of the past is like a rock chair, always moving
back and forth but it will get you nowhere. "
-- Anonymous
" If you don't think everyday is a good day, try missing one ! "
-- Cavett Robert
" The good thing about the future is that it comes only one day at time "
-- Abraham Lincoln
" No one can walk backward into the future. " - Joseph Hargesheimer
Life is what we make it. Everything we see... everything we hear, smell, feel and hear goes inside our memory bank. Even the things we thought and imagined, they are stored inside us. Our problem really lies in the recall of the memories we wanted to remember for usually traumatic and bad experiences dominates our thoughts. What we should work on is how we could select the good ones and the happy ones. Keeping tab only of the good experiences is the first step, writing them down in a diary or a scrapbook. Another way is to keep souvenirs of the good events that happened in your life. But if the bad keeps coming back, then learn to live with it for some good things always comes out of the bad. Or maybe turn it into literature.
And of course, forget about worries ...
Worry never climbed a hill,
Worry never paid a bill,
Worry never dried a tear,
Worry never calmed a fear,
Worry never fixed a broken heel,
Worry never cooked a meal,
Worry never composed a song to sing,
Actually,
worry never did a worthwhile thing.
I forgot where I got these lines, but the moral is :
" There are two ways to slide easily through life;
To believe everything or to doubt everything.
Both ways save us from thinking. "
-- Alfred Korsybski
Truth makes a problem part of the past. "
-- Rick Pitino
" No one is rich enough to buy back the past ,
but we could make the future rich . "
-- Anonymous
" Mistakes are a part of life.
It is the response to the error that counts. " -- Nikki Giovanni
" The past actually happened but history is
only what someone wrote down. " -- A. Whitney Brown
" What lies behind us and what lies before us are small
compared to what lies within us. "
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson
" Memories of the past is like a rock chair, always moving
back and forth but it will get you nowhere. "
-- Anonymous
" If you don't think everyday is a good day, try missing one ! "
-- Cavett Robert
" The good thing about the future is that it comes only one day at time "
-- Abraham Lincoln
" No one can walk backward into the future. " - Joseph Hargesheimer
Life is what we make it. Everything we see... everything we hear, smell, feel and hear goes inside our memory bank. Even the things we thought and imagined, they are stored inside us. Our problem really lies in the recall of the memories we wanted to remember for usually traumatic and bad experiences dominates our thoughts. What we should work on is how we could select the good ones and the happy ones. Keeping tab only of the good experiences is the first step, writing them down in a diary or a scrapbook. Another way is to keep souvenirs of the good events that happened in your life. But if the bad keeps coming back, then learn to live with it for some good things always comes out of the bad. Or maybe turn it into literature.
And of course, forget about worries ...
Worry never climbed a hill,
Worry never paid a bill,
Worry never dried a tear,
Worry never calmed a fear,
Worry never fixed a broken heel,
Worry never cooked a meal,
Worry never composed a song to sing,
Actually,
worry never did a worthwhile thing.
I forgot where I got these lines, but the moral is :
" There are two ways to slide easily through life;
To believe everything or to doubt everything.
Both ways save us from thinking. "
-- Alfred Korsybski
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
XV. ITS NEVER TOO LATE TO START ALL OVER AGAIN
Some of the quotes I picked up about bouncing back :
From a bumper sticker, " If you're headed in the wrong direction,
God allows U-turns "
" It doesn't matter how many times you fail. It doesn't matter how times you
get it almost right. All matters in business is that you get it right once.
Then everyone will tell you how lucky you are. "
-- Mark Cuban
" You can't connect the dots by looking forward ; you can only connect them
by looking backward. So you have to trust the dots will somehow connect.
You have to trust in something - your guts, your destiny, life, karma. "
-- Steve Jobs
" If you accept the expectations of others, especially the negative ones,
then you will never change the outcome. "
-- Michael Jordan
" Success has always been easy to measure. It is the distance between one's
origin and one's final achievement. "
-- Michael Korda
" We have all been placed in this earth to discover our own path, and
we will never be happy if we live someone else's idea of life. "
-- James Van Prough
" Getting fired is nature's way of telling you that you're in the wrong job
in the first place. "
-- Hal Lancaster
" Each of us is given a pocketful of time to spend however we may.
We use what we will. We waste what we will. But we will get back
a day " -- Roger Wilcox
" Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that
you plant. "
-- Robert Louis Stevenson
" You work and work for years and years, you're always on the go
You never take a minute off, too busy making dough
Someday, you say, you'll have your fun, when you're a millionaire
Imagine all the fun you'll have in your old rocking chair "
-- fr the song "Enjoy Yourself"
" Its not about how many times you got knocked down that matters, its
about how many times you got up and moved forward that really counts."
-- Rocky Balboa
I too have a lot of mistakes. I have done a lot of things I should not have done. I have said a lot of things I should not have said. But even if I have the power to go back in time and change parts of it, I wouldn't touch a thing. Those things made me what I am today, I see things differently and I am sure that the seeds I planted will be bearing fruits even when I'm gone. I can honestly say that I no longer pray for anything... just to say thank you for each and every passing day, come what may.
From a bumper sticker, " If you're headed in the wrong direction,
God allows U-turns "
" It doesn't matter how many times you fail. It doesn't matter how times you
get it almost right. All matters in business is that you get it right once.
Then everyone will tell you how lucky you are. "
-- Mark Cuban
" You can't connect the dots by looking forward ; you can only connect them
by looking backward. So you have to trust the dots will somehow connect.
You have to trust in something - your guts, your destiny, life, karma. "
-- Steve Jobs
" If you accept the expectations of others, especially the negative ones,
then you will never change the outcome. "
-- Michael Jordan
" Success has always been easy to measure. It is the distance between one's
origin and one's final achievement. "
-- Michael Korda
" We have all been placed in this earth to discover our own path, and
we will never be happy if we live someone else's idea of life. "
-- James Van Prough
" Getting fired is nature's way of telling you that you're in the wrong job
in the first place. "
-- Hal Lancaster
" Each of us is given a pocketful of time to spend however we may.
We use what we will. We waste what we will. But we will get back
a day " -- Roger Wilcox
" Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that
you plant. "
-- Robert Louis Stevenson
" You work and work for years and years, you're always on the go
You never take a minute off, too busy making dough
Someday, you say, you'll have your fun, when you're a millionaire
Imagine all the fun you'll have in your old rocking chair "
-- fr the song "Enjoy Yourself"
" Its not about how many times you got knocked down that matters, its
about how many times you got up and moved forward that really counts."
-- Rocky Balboa
I too have a lot of mistakes. I have done a lot of things I should not have done. I have said a lot of things I should not have said. But even if I have the power to go back in time and change parts of it, I wouldn't touch a thing. Those things made me what I am today, I see things differently and I am sure that the seeds I planted will be bearing fruits even when I'm gone. I can honestly say that I no longer pray for anything... just to say thank you for each and every passing day, come what may.
XIV. THE FIRST DECISION WE HAVE TO MAKE
Once upon a time, a CEO on his way to a business trip to a South America crash landed in an isolated part of the Amazons. He alone survived but broke his legs and suffered a complete loss of memory. A tribe member found him and took him to their village where he was nursed back to health. He was able to walk again but was never able to regain his memories.
The tribe that rescued him lived in a far out jungles of the Amazons untouched by modern civilization and they led a very primitive kind of life. After over a year in the village, he learned the tribal ways and rituals and he was given a wife whom he learned to love and cared for. He was loved and respected by the community but no matter how he tried, he felt that something is missing in his life and felt that the kind of life they led in the village doesn't suit him. So after another year he made a hard decision.
He talked with his wife and the elders to ask why they have not ventured beyond the jungle limits but no one could give him a clue as to what lies beyond the horizons. Though it was a bit hard for him, he got some provisions for a long trip and bid the tribe goodbye. Knowing the dangers that awaited him he knew that for him to find the changes he wanted, he has to take the necessary risks.
I got this story from the first chapter of the book - "University of Success" by Og Mandino. The moral of the story is that even if things seem to be going alright, we should never stop our search for betterment. The first decision we have to make is knowing when to leave...
As the saying goes : " The harbor is maybe the safest place for a ship but ships were made to sail and not just to be anchored "
The tribe that rescued him lived in a far out jungles of the Amazons untouched by modern civilization and they led a very primitive kind of life. After over a year in the village, he learned the tribal ways and rituals and he was given a wife whom he learned to love and cared for. He was loved and respected by the community but no matter how he tried, he felt that something is missing in his life and felt that the kind of life they led in the village doesn't suit him. So after another year he made a hard decision.
He talked with his wife and the elders to ask why they have not ventured beyond the jungle limits but no one could give him a clue as to what lies beyond the horizons. Though it was a bit hard for him, he got some provisions for a long trip and bid the tribe goodbye. Knowing the dangers that awaited him he knew that for him to find the changes he wanted, he has to take the necessary risks.
I got this story from the first chapter of the book - "University of Success" by Og Mandino. The moral of the story is that even if things seem to be going alright, we should never stop our search for betterment. The first decision we have to make is knowing when to leave...
As the saying goes : " The harbor is maybe the safest place for a ship but ships were made to sail and not just to be anchored "
Saturday, February 4, 2017
XIII. BOXERS ARE NOT TAUGHT HOW TO THINK
Asked how he managed to beat Ali, the thinking fighter, in their first fight, Joe Frazier answered, " Maybe while he was thinking I was hitting him. "
In the movie Star Wars : Episode I, Liam Neason, the Jedi advised Anakin Skywater - " Do not think, just feel and the force will be with you "
Boxing is like driving, you are taught to watch out for everything seen and unseen on the road. At your first year you are conscious about the wheel, the brakes, the shift gears but as you get comfortable in the driver's seat your moves becomes automatic, a matter of instinct. The same with boxing, you first learn the basic moves, how to jab, how to punch, how to circle around the opponent, how to roll with the punches. You do those routines for about a couple of years to develop your muscle memories until you're ready for your first fight.
Once the bell sounds you're on your own. You have no time to think how you are to attack and defend against your opponent - that's when your training, the hours you spend in the gym, will show how much you have learned and if you have the gift for fighting.
Your corner will do the thinking for you - that's their job, to see what strategy to use and what mistakes you are committing. While out there fighting that too is the time when you find out for yourself if you have what it takes to handle the burning sensation you feel when leather strikes your face. The best part of it being able to see the look of respect in the eyes of your opponent as you withstand the punishment he dishes out. That's when two gladiators really get to know each other.
I enjoyed watching the Arturo Gatti - Andre Ward first fight, but watching them joking about the fight while both of them was in a hospital bed was really something. They gave everything they have in that fight and hurt each other so bad that they have to be rushed to the hospital afterwards to see how bad the damage was. In Wilfredo Gomez fight against Lupe Pintor, Gomez was literally carried by his cornerman to his stool after round seven cause he barely had the strength to walk back to his corner after each round. So badly beaten, only his heart and fighting instinct carried him throughout the fight until he was able to connect a good punch to knock out Pintor.
There are about 6 billion people on the planet and there is only one real champion for each weight division, the heavyweight being the universal crown. That's why there is so much prestige attached to it, That's why they are willing to spend endless hours in the gym, endless miles on the road, just to fight for a few minutes in 20 foot square arena. There are simply a lot of things we could learn from the fighters why they fight, why they chose such brutal sports. For fighters too are human just like us only with different desires and dreams. And looking inwards, why do pay good money to see them fight ? Surely there are a lot more to the sports than just hitting each other until could no longer hit back. Maybe that's why Bert Sugar called it " the sweet science of boxing. "
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
XII. WHY WORRY ?
" Are two sparrows sold for a penny ? Yet not one one of them will
fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very
hairs of your head are numbered. So don't be afraid, you are worth than
many sparrows. "
( Matthew 10 : 29 - 31 )
For believers, none is to be explained. For the unbelievers, you are forever condemned to worries and some sleepless nights. Death is something we need not worry about for its God's call - you can very well see from the previous video shared that those guys who survived those near death experience were saved by chance. Some people will call them lucky, some will call them blessed, but I say you got the message - make good for the second chance given.
Even Einstein argued about quantum physics that God doesn't play dice. He believed in a God who reveals Himself in the harmony of all that exist - rejecting the view that the universe is subject to randomness and uncertainty. ( Time Magazine - Person of the Century ). Life and death is pre-arranged for we know not to whom we will be born and to when and how life will be taken away from us.
Bruce Lee also said that each and everyone of us is unique and given different attributes. Martial arts cannot be taught the same way to different people. His main function as a teacher was to delegate to his students those task that he is capable of mastering and then to leave him as much as possible to himself and inner abilities. Its merely a vehicle towards understanding your inner self, and defeating that demons within you. He advised that when inside the ring - never anticipate the outcome of a fight, allow nature to take its own course.
People gain fame and glory by doing death defying feats. Jacky Chan made it internationally by doing his own stunts and got injured several times. Evel Knievel did 75 ramp to ramp motorcycle jumps and yet he died in his bed. Sheriff Bufford Pusser, the Walking Tall fame got stabbed, shot by a 38, and again shot 3 times in an assassination attempt but got killed in a one vehicle accident. Audie Murphy put himself in harms way several times during World War II winning all medals for valor in the army and more medals from France and Belgium, became a movie star after the war but died in a plane crash. These are some of the examples on how we are being played in our lives.
God works in mysterious ways. They are not for us to understand though some tries to but life is too short to make something out of so they leave what they found out for the future generation to pick up from they finished. Yet after thousands of years the search for the true God had only caused divisions among men leading to religious wars and conflicts. Some men spend so much time preparing for an afterlife but neglect the part on how they should live for the present. Buts as the old American Indians used to say - "Its never wrong to seek another path but never forget to leave a trail. "
fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very
hairs of your head are numbered. So don't be afraid, you are worth than
many sparrows. "
( Matthew 10 : 29 - 31 )
For believers, none is to be explained. For the unbelievers, you are forever condemned to worries and some sleepless nights. Death is something we need not worry about for its God's call - you can very well see from the previous video shared that those guys who survived those near death experience were saved by chance. Some people will call them lucky, some will call them blessed, but I say you got the message - make good for the second chance given.
Even Einstein argued about quantum physics that God doesn't play dice. He believed in a God who reveals Himself in the harmony of all that exist - rejecting the view that the universe is subject to randomness and uncertainty. ( Time Magazine - Person of the Century ). Life and death is pre-arranged for we know not to whom we will be born and to when and how life will be taken away from us.
Bruce Lee also said that each and everyone of us is unique and given different attributes. Martial arts cannot be taught the same way to different people. His main function as a teacher was to delegate to his students those task that he is capable of mastering and then to leave him as much as possible to himself and inner abilities. Its merely a vehicle towards understanding your inner self, and defeating that demons within you. He advised that when inside the ring - never anticipate the outcome of a fight, allow nature to take its own course.
People gain fame and glory by doing death defying feats. Jacky Chan made it internationally by doing his own stunts and got injured several times. Evel Knievel did 75 ramp to ramp motorcycle jumps and yet he died in his bed. Sheriff Bufford Pusser, the Walking Tall fame got stabbed, shot by a 38, and again shot 3 times in an assassination attempt but got killed in a one vehicle accident. Audie Murphy put himself in harms way several times during World War II winning all medals for valor in the army and more medals from France and Belgium, became a movie star after the war but died in a plane crash. These are some of the examples on how we are being played in our lives.
God works in mysterious ways. They are not for us to understand though some tries to but life is too short to make something out of so they leave what they found out for the future generation to pick up from they finished. Yet after thousands of years the search for the true God had only caused divisions among men leading to religious wars and conflicts. Some men spend so much time preparing for an afterlife but neglect the part on how they should live for the present. Buts as the old American Indians used to say - "Its never wrong to seek another path but never forget to leave a trail. "
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