How to Be Truly Great and Happy!

Do you want to be Great! Do you believe we are born for greatness? Do you believe that our God is an awesome God Who always is ready to bless us with greatness? That everyday, something great is happening to you to make you greater?

Last night, I attended our regular Wednesday Training in Makati and was once again inspired by one of our leaders in International Marketing Group- IMG. He is the founder of the Wealth Academy and the author of the Lecture Series. He is no other than Noel Arandilla, a Chemical Engineer turned Financial Planner, Adviser, Consultant, Master Trainer, Master Builder and CEO of IMG. It was truly inspiring! Let me synthesize and add some personal insights and sharing on what it takes to be Great and may I add...and Happy!

To be great , based on the many success stories told over and over again, one has to find his gifting, develop it with passion , dream big dreams, focus and practice his craft . To be truly great and happy, I would like to add that we must be doing everything in the name of love anchored on the love of God and fellowmen. We must not measure our greatness alone by what we have accomplished ourselves but how many people have we uplifted and helped. We are great as measured by the "world" on how many places we have been, how many cars , house, assets we have. But, " Ang katanyagan na may kagalakan ay hindi lamang kung gaano kataas ka kumpara sa iba, bagkus kung gaano mo naitaas ang iba". True greatness with happiness is measured not by how much you are above others, but how much you have uplifted others .

One has to practice till perfection of his craft, never allowing difficulties block his way to success, and always go through difficulties and triumph (Try- Umph) over it. One has to spend at least 10,000 Hrs perfecting his craft by practicing diligently everyday for 10 years. Sometimes, practicing what others may consider already as punishing. And looking at failures as just a temporary halt to success. Never quitting, never stopping till he get his dreams!

When I was a boy , going 7, I have to be sent to my aunt in Gumaca to be adopted. We were poor that my parents cannot afford to feed and send us to school . I am the 5th of 12 children. Even in those times, raising a family of four was difficult what more with 12 children and with my father as lone bread winner. He was a Policeman, an honest policeman, "hindi nangongotong", and thus no sideline nor money from illegal means.

When I lived with aunt in the province, I had that frightening experience of sleeping alone in a room. There were no kids of my age to play with, that I even have to play with ants. There were times , I had nightmares and there was no one to embrace me or comfort me. Oh it was not just a difficult situation, it was horrifying. I was in that situation for one full year . And so after a year I asked my aunt that I be returned home to my family .

We were all back together and have to live with what we have. We have to help out in the family income. Imagine, this, My school uniforms are hand me down from top to bottom , including what is inside...yes, including that... you know what. I am assured only of elementary education as this is free and I just have to walk a short distance to school, thus minimal expense. My high school and college education is uncertain.

We slept 8 of 12 of us altogether in one sleeping mat we call "banig" and we do not have enough pillow and "kumot" when it is cold. We have one bathroom , that we have to cue in line each day, and thus some of us have to take a bath outside the house.

Because of this we all studied very well, dreaming, that one day, we will be able to lift us up from the misery of being poor. We also help augment our family's income by selling cigarettes, "mais", banana cue, "lumpiang togue" . We slowly but surely lifted up our living condition through the years.

I had big dreams... every time I see an airplane pass by our roof (we live near Manila International Airport now NAIA) I said to myself I will ride a plane someday. So as I fly my kite, I imagine myself soaring high in a plane traveling to different places in the world. I also dream of having a big house, a big bed with complete "unan at kumot". I dream of having a family , my own car,

I have finished my studies in flying colors, and completed college through full scholarship from the government with full allowances. Landed a good job, had traveled to most parts of the world, have a big house, , a car of my own, encircled with friends who has same passion and mission in life and more importantly friends who are also focused on serving and loving God.

Now as I look back, I thank God for allowing me to go through this experience for it had made me closer to Him. It also made me very calm and relax even in difficult situation for I know God is with me. It made me feel I am great for I have hurdled the difficulties, found my gifting as a trainer, with passion I use my gift, use and hone it by practicing it , and I help uplift many people with my gift.

But, let me add one more thing, we can find our happiness in our greatness by not comparing with others, but by looking at where we have been and how the Lord has blessed our way to greatness! And we must continue to look forward to each day for I truly believe something greater is in store for all of us each day!

God bless us all !