True Riches

We are extremely lucky to be alive today. The advances in medicine, technology, and science have increased our life span, decreased mortality rate, reduced poverty, allowed wireless communications at lightning speeds, and information (on just about anything) is just a search away.

Above all this, the number of self-help books, podcasts and video casts, audio and video coaching programs, seminars, distance learning, and other worthwhile personal endeavors, have skyrocketed in the last ten years. I believe that the rising tide of spiritual awareness is the backbone of this revolution in self-development. It continues to grow day-by-day.

And because of the great opportunities available to us, at this time, I cannot help but wonder about its relationship to prosperity. Personally, if I am not a monk or a priest with a vow of poverty, then in all honesty, I would like for me and my family to live a prosperous and abundant life. Sadly, many people still haven't found the prosperity in their lives and live in despicable conditions. In the following quote, the ancient Chinese Sage Lao Tzu already explained how, 2,500 years ago:

Photo Credit: Chiara Abbate Flickr via Compfight cc

“Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power. If you realize that you have enough, you are truly rich.”

- Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching 

In the various communities we partake in, both online and offline, we contribute ideas and opinions that shape the collective energy of the group. Helping our community become a positive influence makes it possible to take a step forward to what Stephen Covey calls “the age of wisdom”: the time when insight is the norm, productivity will skyrocket, and peace will occur. Lofty ideas, but something worth aspiring to attain in our lifetime.

On a more personal level, I believe that true riches can be equated with contentment and being grateful with what you have at any particular point in time. One doesn’t need to reach his or her financial goals to be prosperous, but we can simply be happy with what we have already; to strive to reach the peak of the mountain and be happy climbing it at the same time. 

I’ll be ending on this note, hoping to have shared a little light in a dark world. To quote Dr. Wayne Dyer, “there is no way to prosperity, prosperity is the way”. Keep smiling every one.

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*Originally published as “The Way to Prosperity In The Age Of Wisdom – Dr. Wayne Dyer” in Bubblews.

2014

As a certified urban rat staying in the murky corners of Mega Manila for the last 20 years, going to the province once in a while refreshes the senses, rejuvenates the muscles, and provides a new perspective in an otherwise mundane existence. Quite frankly, it's therapeutic. And, it's fun. 

2014 (February), however, is an especially cool year for moi and my high school buddies because it will be our class' 25^th year: our Silver Jubilee, to be exact.

So, in honor of this rare occasion, I've created a “badge”, which I will post on my blog for the month of February. (Just leave a comment if you have suggestions on how to improve this.)

Coincidentally, it's the 25th Silver Jubilee of Emperor Akihito of Japan; not that it matters but just wanted you guys to know.

Time flies by quickly when you're having fun that it's easy to take time, and old friends, for granted. Once again, congratulations, dear friends. Looking forward to seeing you again, hopefully, not after another 25 years.


And, finally, salute: Long live the Rizal Standard Academy-Batch 89!

Coming to Manila

Like Times Square (above), Manila has that magnet that magically attracts. 

*Photo courtesy of Giacomo.

People from the province come to Manila for many reasons: to find work, to study in one of the big universities, to visit relatives / friends, to escape poverty, to find love, etc. It may be short stay or a permanent vacation, but whatever it is, your life will never be the same again after seeing the sights, sounds and smell of the "big city".