tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19351452582589154332024-03-10T02:46:40.711+00:00Spa, Health and Wellness BlogYour one-stop, source of information and resources regarding: Spa, Massage Therapy, Beauty, Well-being and Wellness (with a focus on the Philippines)
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Euniceyunesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05708369387553951067noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935145258258915433.post-12833112616467121122023-11-20T22:00:00.003+00:002023-11-21T22:09:26.981+00:00Living Above Difficulty<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Living Above Difficulty </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Part 1: Suffering </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Upon further contemplation, I came to know about Precept from an interview I watched from Real Lives a couple of weeks back with Nigel Watts who was being interviewed by Roger Carswell, who mentioned about Precept Bible studies. After watching the interview, I then Googled Precept and saw their website and looked into the books available. I emailed Precept that I wanted to order some books but would prefer ebooks as I want to carry them along while travelling. The admin, Sharon Goldie, was kind enough to inform me that they only have physical books but there are ebooks on Amazon. So I quickly bought my books on Kindle so I can start reading. It just so happened that they have an upcoming Bible Study online on one of the books that I happen to be interested in so she then passed along my details to Melanie and one thing lead to another. So, I am now part of an online Bible study group and we are now studying the book on Living Victoriously in Difficult Times by Precept Ministries, UK. So we have just started our first of the six weeks of online Bible study. </p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">On this and in future blog posts, I will share my thoughts, personal reflections and introspections on what we are studying.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">So what are my reasons for taking this online studies? Why am I doing this? I have always believed in life long learning. I fully believe that the Bible is not only a list of rules, do’s and don’ts and laws to follow- but a manual for living life as a prelude to the next life. I am re-visiting the Bible, to attempt (with all my weaknesses and ignorance), to know and understand the God who made the heavens and the Earth and what He requires from me. To rekindle my understanding of who He really is in my life. Even if I know from the start, that I will never know Him perfectly enough as He ought to. We all can’t conceive His greatness and majesty with our limited understanding and theology but that doesn’t mean that we can’t experience intimacy with Him. We can't limit how God speaks (He even used a donkey to speak for Him) and how He treats every person individually. I need to know what it really means in the practical sense and day to day living, to abide in Him. I don’t want to waste anymore of my time pursuing matters that doesn’t have any eternal value. I am giving up temporal interests and pursue what really matters. Drop my social media flicking including TikTok, shorts, (although I am not against these) but because it takes quite a chunk of my time. I would rather say NO and drop them like a cold turkey. I want to stop chasing what isn’t important in God’s eyes. I don’t want to be better or feel better in my own eyes but to be what God intends me to be. I want to stop appearing religious but to really know what it means to walk with God. Because I know deep inside that, I am the person who is described in Romans 1: 21 that although I know there is a God, I didn’t honour Him. I honoured Him with my lips. That needs to change.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">So let's go to my thoughts on our Week 1 study. Week 1 is about suffering. We read 2 Thessalonians 1: 4-8. There are many causes and forms of suffering. Suffering can be caused by ourselves, other people or circumstances. Suffering maybe in the form of a physical ailment, emotional distress, relational conflicts, etc. </p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">When I experience any difficulty, any set backs, any suffering and any negative thing in my life, I would immediately ask myself the question, “is this a test (or a trial) or a chastisement? Is this a result of my negligence, my ignorance, a bad choice? my own mistake or even my forgetfulness?” </p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px;"> </p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">In contrast, week 1 focuses on (life’s) suffering due to persecution.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">All of us will experience suffering at some point in our lives. Nobody is immune from it. The Thessalonians suffered because they embraced the Gospel just as the Apostle Paul suffered because he was the one who delivered the Gospel to them. They were considered worthy of the Kingdom of God because they endured their affliction with steadfast faith and trust in God.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">So what is the Gospel and why are they being persecuted because of it? and what does it mean to trust God? what is so “bad” about the Gospel that people are so angry with it?</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">First, I am thankful that, we (still) live in a world where freedom of speech is still enforced by most of modern society and free countries. However, there are a lot of countries today where you can’t say, write or do anything that pertains on topics about faith, religion and spirituality. Throughout history we know that there were many people who suffered terribly including being imprisoned (that includes Apostle Paul and the disciples) and even died heinous deaths because of what they believed in. I can’t compare my sacrifices with them because it’s like comparing a giant and a dwarf. Them being the giants of faith albeit, how can I be like them in this modern age and times?</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">As 2 Timothy 3: 12 says, Indeed all who desire to live Godly lives will be persecuted. That’s the cost of being with Christ.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We are a privileged generation. There are a lot of avenues to get to know God with liberty and freedom but we have to be picky and wise in spending our time and attention to God. We might not be experiencing persecution to the point of imprisonment or death however, we need to use whatever resources we have, to do what God wants us to do.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We may not suffer like the Thessalonians but they are a good role model to follow. </p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Personally, there are many sacrifices that I have to make. One of them is (and not limited to), re-prioritising my time and schedule. I have to be careful because I suffer from workaholism. It’s not something I am proud of. Nowadays, God gets to be my number 1 priority. Before I spend time at work and at sleep, I make sure that my first hour and last hour of the day should be to spend time with Him. How? by verbally thanking Him (a thank you is not a thank you if not done through words or in writing), by confessing my sins, opening my thoughts to Him, submitting my day to Him, things that I want to accomplish during that day, telling God that I am at His disposal that day, He also reminds me of people that I need to intercede for, asking Him what He thinks of my plans like plans for the day, for my vacation, where would I go and what would I do. I regret not doing this a long time ago simply because I didn’t really enjoy it. I remember all those vacations I spent my time and days on, not even consulting God. Money that I spend on without asking God where would you like me to spend my salary, my bonus, my 13th month pay, my profit? Where would I put my extra money to advance His Kingdom? will this investment glorify God? will this shoes, dress and beauty products take care of this temple that He gave me? Will this choice of dress glorify God? what would you want me to do? what would you want me to say? what would you want me to say to this and that person? how would you like me to spend my day? and on and on….oh well....</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">So to answer my previous question about what is the Gospel and why do people hate it and they persecute people who believe in it?</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I am not a Bible scholar, so I will explain the simplest way to explain the Gospel…. You and I, everyone on this planet Earth who is living and who has ever lived, were born with an original sin inherited from Adam and Eve. Because of sin we all are spiritually dead. One way to look at it is, everyone broke the moral laws of God (yes, the Ten commandments) and in order to restore that broken relationship, God gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). In that respect, we have to accept and confess with our mouth that Jesus Christ died for our sins. We have to repent from our sins and turn from our wicked ways. We have to acknowledge that Jesus Christ is The Way, The Truth and The Life and no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). He is not a way, a truth or a life. Jesus Christ is THE (specific pronoun) only way, the only Truth and the only Life- Giver. He is not one of the ways to the Father. He is not one of the many ways (including religion). Not by our good works, not by giving donations and alms, not by joining a church, not by being religious, not by giving tithes, not by doing ministry and many other good things- although all of these are physical manifestations of a regenerated heart, it is not the way to heaven, not the way to earn salvation and certainly not the way to God. The only way is through grace (which means unmerited favour) by the blood sacrifice of God’s only Son Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the sacrifice made for the atonement of my (and everybody else’s sins of the past, present and future). He rose from the dead to prove that He defeated death. Jesus Christ is not only a prophet, a teacher, or a man. He is 100% man and 100% God. He is the Messiah. As John the Baptist pointed out, Jesus Christ is the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Now, that is the Gospel in it’s very naive (albeit incomplete) explanation. Now you see, why the people who believes the Gospel (before) were being persecuted. We live in a generation of cultural sensitivity so to say all these things in it’s raw and plain form will also generate a lot of controversy. </p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I will touch on my view about repentance some other time. But suffice to say for now, that it is turning away from sin and dying to self. Start living for God. However, it doesn’t mean being perfect, far from it. It means that we are being renewed daily. </p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Secondly, another topic I would like to write about is the proliferation of people, especially in the community of so-called "Christians" or "believers" as they call themselves, who propagate the doctrine that if you would become a follower of Christ, all of your problems will be gone, you are already perfect and that you are immune to sin or all your suffering will be done away with, all the things you want will be given as long as you have enough faith, enough words and photos to confess blessings including that mansion, that yacht, this Bugatti, that Rolls-Royce or that Hermes bag. That is not Biblical, there are people who will be blessed materially but there are people who will not. It also doesn’t mean that if you become a follower of God, that life will go on as planned or life will be a bed of roses. It also doesn’t mean that life will be free from pain, problems and sickness. Far from it! As in Exodus 33: 19 - God will have mercy to whom He pleases and compassion to whom He wants to. Everything is at God’s discretion. My point is, if God’s Kingdom and His righteousness will be shown greater through our suffering, then be it... but if God’s Kingdom and His righteousness will be shown greater by blessing us with material wealth, then it is up to God too. So I think the “prosperity Gospel” is amiss in that respect.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Last but not the least, how will I deal with the fact that so many people would hate me when they read this blog? That I might have pivoted from my health and wellness blog to something spiritual. Sorry to say folks, TRUE health and wellness is only found in Christ and in an intimate relationship with the Creator of Heaven and Earth. When people would say bad things about me, I get hurt. But if they say bad things about me because of what I wrote here, I would remember that they persecuted Christ first. Per contra, there’s a gigantic difference because nobody ever had a reason to persecute Christ. Christ lived a perfect life that I can never ever live. There is not a single iota of wrongdoing with Christ but there’s a lot of wrong in me. So if someone doesn’t like what I wrote. I have to suffer the consequences of what I believe in.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">So much for this week, I will write more about my thoughts next time….</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">————</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">If you want to know more about Precept, here’s their website: </p><p style="color: #420178; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.precept.org/">https://www.precept.org</a></span></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">They have locations in the UK, US, etc. There are also online Bible studies available.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">To get the book on Living Victoriously Through Difficult Times, you can go to Amazon to buy any or both physical or digital copies.</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to reach out. </p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Shalom!</p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px;"><br /></p><div><br /></div>yunesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05708369387553951067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935145258258915433.post-51164057484271706372023-07-30T16:05:00.007+01:002023-12-05T21:46:31.221+00:00 Why I believe there is a God (in the midst of everything that is happening) and He is alive!<p> <span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Why I believe there is a God (in the midst of everything that is happening) and He is alive!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Quite a few months ago, a Canadian-Filipina friend of mine shared her concern regarding a disturbing video that she'd come across online because someone forwarded it to her. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Here's a clip of that video:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy2OvZkNDo3fYsev193J2141x50CMgBw6o2eQFTcF0Ukb1lHL_3xRzs2h0zYDr3fn6PZfDxt82wQMhbp9XkEA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">So, for people out there who are asking why I, someone who, has a health and medical background believe what I believe, here's my take on it...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">First, I feel pity for people like the guy on that video because they don't know what they are talking about. If there is no God then why do they hate God so much? They won't even dare to do that to the Islam religion or to Mohammad. Let alone mock someone they don't believe in. Why do they mock something or someone who does not exist (according to them)? If He is not real why do they disrespect Him that much? Not even Hitler is hated that way. Think about it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Second, let us be pragmatic. For example, if we see a car, we know that there is someone who manufactured a car. Who? the car manufacturers of course. If we see a painting, we know that behind that beautiful painting is a painter. Of course, a painting doesn't just appear by itself. And if we see a house, we know that someone constructed it. We know that there's an architect, a contractor, a carpenter, a plumber, etc. to eventually build the house. The house, together with the painting and the car, can't just appear out of nowhere. Logically someone has built and made it. So when we see nature: the birds, the trees, the oceans, the seas, everything that surrounds us- they are all creations....which means there is a Creator. Painting was painted by a painter. Creation made by the Creator. The whole of creation "shouts" of God's glory. But of course, it doesn't literally shout but the evidence is there.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Third, Scientifically, if the Earth tilted just one mile towards the sun, we would all fry. If the Earth tilted a mile away from the sun, we would all freeze to death. Every step of the galaxy was perfectly formed. Balance of matter and anti-matter has to be accurate to 1 part in 10 billion to sustain life and the chances that we could live in such an environment is 1 in 1 billion and 1 in 1 trillion that we can think. The chances that we (humans) would be able to have a CONSCIENCE and discern the right from wrong, the odds are 1 in 1 nonillion. When you have protein, the amino acids have to be perfectly arranged, the laws of modern Science cannot fathom the probability of protein forming by chance. 10 to the 64th power by 1. The DNA in every single human is so astronomically complex that no amount of computation can ever bring it together so perfectly....The work of God is in everything especially our human body.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Fourth, there is a theory on Punctuated Equilibrium and Irreducible Complexity. According to Evolutionary biology, Punctuated Equilibrium proposes that once a specie appears in the fossil record, the population will become stable showing little to no evolutionary change for most of its geological history. Irreducible complexity is a term used to describe a characteristic of certain complex systems whereby they need all of their individual component parts in place in order to function. In other words, it is impossible to reduce the complexity (or simplify) an irreducibly complex system by removing any of its component parts and still maintain its functionality.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Fifth, people who don't believe in God, at one time or another believed in God or some form of God because we are humans, Beneath all our facades, money, mask, careers and accomplishments, there is a deep longing that only God can fill. They see the harm, the wars, the sickness and the world's dilemma. However, they don't know that all these hardships are caused by man's sin and his disobedience. Not by God. But, God is being blamed for it. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Sixth, I don't believe in religion, per se. Religion has been used to manipulate, abuse and even annihilate people. But a relationship with God, the Maker of Heaven and Earth is the answer. Religion divides, relationship with and faith in God doesn't. A lot of us professing to be Christians are NOT at all real "Christians" or followers of Christ. We talk like the world, we speak like the world, we look like the world, we love the world, we go into our own lives without even consulting God, we are unkind to people who are hurting, we say things at the back of a person we don't like, we secretly take joy in the pain of another person, we take pride in being self-righteous, we are unforgiving when someone has done something wrong, we don't know God in a personal, deep and intimate way. I can go on and on but having said those, that's a whole other topic which I won't touch today with a ten foot pole. Maybe another time perhaps? However, right now let's stay on course.... </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Seventh, Remember, a person only learns what his heart desires. Whatever a person seeks, he finds, If you seek atheism. You will find it. If you seek a broken world. You will only find the problems of this world and not the solutions. If you seek, you will find. If you read and watch videos like the one above, all of which and who are antithetical to God, they will instil many unhealthy ideas in your mind. Inwardly, you will be crumbling, You will turn to drugs, cocaine, booze and many forms of addiction- because your life is not important anyway. A person will turn to worldly answers. I don't have all the answers. No religion have all the answers. Nobody does. But we don't have to have all the answers to believe. Just like I don't have to learn all the things about electricity in order to turn on the electric switch on the wall and enjoy this light in my room. I also don't have to know all the things I need to know about electronics, I just use my laptop. I don't have to know the capacity of this chair that I am sitting on. I just sit on it and have faith that it will hold my weight. I may not see air but I know and I believe that there is air and that it contains, oxygen and hydrogen. I just breath. That's what FAITH is all about. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Eighth, we have conSCIENCE. In it's Archaic definition, CON- meaning "with" and Science which means "knowledge". We all have a conscience and people who doesn't believe in God, even they themselves know what is right and what is wrong. They will not murder. They will not rape. They will not take drugs. All these things they know to be "not right". Deep inside us, we have this compass. Nobody is perfect. Everyone falls and fails short. That's why, we need someone who could help us. That someone is Jesus Christ alone.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Ninth, last but not the least, Pascal's wager. Pascal's wager is a philosophical argument presented by the seventeenth-century French philosopher, theologian, mathematician, and physicist, Blaise Pascal. It says that human beings "wager" with their lives that God either exists or does not. Since God’s existence is a matter of faith, (and to some extent people believe that there's no scientific proof) how should you live? Let’s say you gamble and bet that, God exists, so you lead a Godly and virtuous life —but it turns out that there is no God. You miss enjoying a few sins while you are alive, but that’s all your risk costs you. Now let’s say you gamble and bet that there is no God and commit all the sins you would like to commit through life without a qualm— and it turns out that God does exist. The payoff on this risk is a few decades of cheap thrills (at the most 80 to 90 years of worldly existence) — then afterwards, an eternity burning in hell. So the risk is greater....</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">So, in essence, Pascal’s wager shows that whether you should take a risk depends not just on the probability that you are right but also on the consequences if you are wrong. To make reliably good decisions, we must always weigh how right we think we are against or how sorry we will be if we turn out to be mistaken.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Pascal's wager applies not only to belief in the existence of God but in life, in investing, in relationships, in making any major decisions in life, etc. You have to weigh what are the risks and rewards for this decision, this investment, this relationship? If the risks far outweigh the rewards, you should be saying NO. If the rewards far outweigh the risks, you should be saying YES!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">But I will end with a story</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">There were twins: Juan and Pedro. Juan is a good Christian guy, very responsible, respected his parents, never got into trouble but his twin brother Pedro, is his exact opposite: always having trouble with authority, do not study, disrespects his parents. Now one day, Pedro got into an argument and a brawl with another man inside a pub and they exchanged punches he punched the man so hard that the man fell, hit a hard table and when a doctor came to check his vital signs, he was found dead. So Pedro, because he became afraid, ran outside and away from the pub and rushed into a place where he knows he is safe. He went to the house of his brother Juan. Upon hearing his dilemma, Juan told him, not to worry but to take off his bloody shirt, go upstairs and take a shower. He told his bother Pedro not to worry. When the police came, Juan, who was now wearing Pedro’s shirt, was arrested and was brought to prison. In the same way, Jesus Christ was like that to us. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">So, I will end it with this, I will let Science, life, circumstances, History, Biology, Physiology, Anatomy and all the ologies and otomies in the world- point to the Source of it all because as far as I know, when you look for something with an open heart and mind for learning- without prejudice and preconceived ideas, you will eventually find the answer that you have been looking for.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">With that, I rest my case. Thank you for reading.</span></p><div><br /></div><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>yunesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05708369387553951067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935145258258915433.post-22514094710681924392021-12-30T00:01:00.001+00:002021-12-30T00:02:40.494+00:00Lessons I learned from the Recent Sickness and Near Death of a Family Friend from Corona Virus:<h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Lessons I learned from the Recent Sickness and Near Death of a Family Friend from Corona Virus: </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">What has prompted me to write this musing? This year has been particularly challenging for all of us around the globe because of this nuisance virus called Covid19. Short for Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the respiratory illness caused by SARS-CoV-2. A Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the name given to the novel coronavirus which first appeared in Wuhan, China, in 2019. </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It has affected me personally because a very close family friend was infected and it nearly cost her, her life. This made me re-think things that matter most in life. God has taught us hard lessons through this experience. But all in all, it’s a journey that I will never forget.
And in no particular order here are the lessons I learned from the near death experience of my beloved friend: </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">1. <span> </span>Material Things Don’t Matter. </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span> <span> </span></span>There are many, many occasions that I wonder what to give to a person; especially during birthdays and at Christmas time. The number of shoes, bags, mugs, pens and material gifts given to us are forgotten. The most relevant gifts that you can give are those that can be used over and over again or cheerfully used; these are the ones that form happy memories. I think fondly of a few hours spent with loved ones over a good meal and think that this is far more valuable than any Rolex watch or Gucci dress. So now, I have resolved myself to give more of either cash gifts, or experiences like eating out, a spa time, travel and tours like cooking tours, a walking and food tour, etc. It is the gifts that are given in love with a personal touch, that are the most treasured. </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2. <span> </span> A Godly man leaves an Inheritance. (Proverbs 13:22) </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span> <span> </span></span>Aside from preparing spiritually, one of the things that has crossed my mind during this unfortunate event was that death is inevitable so we should prepare for it. Especially preparing to pass on generational wealth to our children. We should prepare our family, our spouse, our children and ourselves for our demise. We should ensure that we have life, health and retirement insurance. We should try to have savings that will last us for 3-6 months without having to work physically for it. We should not only work hard but work smart. We should invest in stable investment ventures not “get rich quick schemes”. We should leave not only a spiritual inheritance but should educate our children on financial intelligence and wellbeing. Remember the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30? We should set a time to study and be literate with investing, business, finances and money. We should use our time, talents and treasures: the 3 T’s for the Kingdom of God, while we have time. Don’t delay! </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">3. <span> </span> Death is not the end. It’s only the beginning of
another <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span>Chapter in Life. </h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <span> <span> </span></span>We are a triune being. We are like eggs. We are composed of a shell, an egg white and a yolk. Our shell is our body, the egg white is the soul and the yolk is our spirit. Sometimes, these three are divisive and death is where the soul and spirit leaves the body. At the end of our Earthly life, we are to be judged by our Maker. The friend who nearly died, was in a coma and I am sure that her soul was floating somewhere. I think our soul experiences somewhat of a dream if this happens. I haven’t spoken to her at length about it but I am thinking of interviewing her regarding this. However, I am sure of this, we are all just passing through in this life, we need to make the most out of it to be of service to God and to others by finding our God-given mission in life. </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">4. <span> </span>Stress affects our immunity. </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span> <span> </span></span>Of the whole congregation who attended that fateful Sunday service, only a select few were not infected with the virus. Everyone was exposed and yet, I know of only one person who wasn’t infected. Everyone had a range of different symptoms but generally, all of them except my beloved sister in Christ, were back on their feet after a week or so. I think that the length of time of exposure as well as the amount of stress she was experiencing at that time, exacerbated the disease. There are many sources of stress such as work; especially if you do not enjoy the job. At times, the people around us can cause stress. Some people have a more anxious nature which is unhealthy. Even our lifestyle; our diet, sleep patterns, and leisure activities greatly affect our stress levels. We should, as much as is possible, find how to decrease, or better yet; eliminate causes of stress, remembering that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and we should take care of it. </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span> <span> </span></span>Some Stress contributors: </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <span> <span> </span></span>Comparing ourselves with others </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span> <span> </span></span>Complaining </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span> <span> </span></span>Rumour mongering </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <span> <span> </span></span>Being over-fatigued </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span> <span> </span></span>Being in a hurry all the time </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span> <span> </span></span>Being argumentative </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span> <span> </span></span>Being mean </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span> <span> </span></span>Shouting </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span> <span> </span></span>All activities that affect us negatively </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <span> </span> Some Ways to Reduce Stress: </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span> </span> Hugging a tree </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span> </span> Smiling </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span> </span> Forgiving </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span> </span> Praying </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span> </span> Sunshine exposure for 15 minutes everyday </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span> </span> Being in the middle of a garden with trees and flowers </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span> </span> Being kind </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span> </span> Gratitude </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span> </span> Sleeping on time and enough</span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span> <span> </span></span>Enjoying things that you love </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span> </span> Spending time with people you love </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span> </span> Relaxing Music </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span> </span> Going to a spa </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span> </span> Talking to People who inspires you</span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span> </span>Gardening </span></h2><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">5. <span> </span>God is everywhere. </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span> <span> </span></span> In Hebrews 10: 25 it tells us to not give up meeting with one another and I whole heartedly agree with the Apostle Paul. However, there is a caveat. We should consider our safety and the safety of others especially in the light of current events and the signs of the times. We should remember that a single mistake may be fatal. While it is our responsibility to forgive others, and in turn hope to be forgiven by others, we should not (knowingly) put others at risk. In the same way as I wouldn’t drink and drive, I should be careful to protect people from Covid. I thank God that my dear friend was completely in His hands and even had she passed away she would have been in paradise. However, I am overjoyed that He spared her and gave her back to us. I hope that the church will remember the love of Christ and prayerfully learned lessons from this event that nearly cost somebody their life.
We are blessed at this time with so many online platforms like Facebook, Skype, Youtube, Zoom, etc. that we should consider online services if there is ever a flareup of Covid (or its variants) again.
I remember the woman at the well when Jesus told her in John 4: 21, 23 and 24, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” With the spread of the virus through personal contacts, Christians should be able to adjust and adapt during lockdowns, social distancing, etc. As the saying goes, have faith but lock your door. True worshippers should start to worship in spirit and in truth. We should explore other ways of meaningful praise and worship.
</span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">6. <span> </span> Life is fragile. </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span> <span> </span></span> There she is lying in the hospital bed, with life support. Many memories of the past came across my mind: The meals we had together. The many special occasions we enjoyed together as a family even though they are not blood relatives of mine. The laughter and jokes we shared. I realised that no matter how holy a person is, we still get tired, sick and despondent. As Matthew 5:45 says, the sun rises on the evil and the good. The rain falls for the just and the unjust. It doesn’t matter if you believe in God or not, you will still fall if you jump out of a building. Gravity isn’t a respecter of person. Just like any other virus, it doesn’t matter if you’re a Christian or not, you will get this virus if you had enough exposure and your immune system gives way. It doesn’t matter if you’re a celebrity or not, this virus could kill you. It doesn’t matter if you’re popular or not, you can get affected by this virus. We are still on Earth and therefore, we should abide by the laws of nature. Be extra careful, please. Don’t be complacent. </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">7. <span> </span>Dreams are sometimes messages from God.
A dream might be coming from the Mexican tortilla you ate last night, from the day’s events, from our past memories and I believe (with no reservations), that a dream might be an intervention or a message from God. Spiritual dreams can come from people in all walks of life but God also uses dreams to talk to His people and sometimes they come from very unexpected people. For instance, Nebucchadnezzar and Pharaoh had dreams which greatly affected Abraham’s children. And of course, Mary and Joseph had dreams which provided essential guidance with the birth of Jesus.
Unbeknownst to me, I had a warning dream about COVID decimating our church, and unfortunately it only because clear in hindsight. I dreamt about a gunman trying to shoot me down in a crowd of people. Many people were hit and wounded. Some were hit on the shoulders, arms or legs but I kept running fast and hiding while he was shooting. In the last scene of the dream, I hid behind a pillar and I was surrounded by people who were panicking and cowering for their lives. Then I woke up. Was this dream a form of warning that the congregation in church would be attacked with the virus? This dream prompted me to research about dream interpretation from a Biblical perspective. And I now feel sure that my dream meant that somebody in the spiritual realm was trying to harm me and those around me. Whilst I certainly feel that we should keep a level head, I also feel that we should never ignore what God is trying to tell us through dreams like these. </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">8. <span> </span>Time and chance happen to all. </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span> <span> </span></span>Ecclesiastes 9: 11 says “I have observed something else under the sun. The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time.”
And so it is with getting this virus, you have to be at the wrong place at the wrong time to get it. I pray for Isaiah 30: 21 for your life … “And whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: “This is the way. Walk in it.” We must remember that it is God who gives life and preserves our life and that we should always listen to His wisdom in all things and in all ways. </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">9. <span> </span>Many things in life are personal and individual and one’s salvation especially so. </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span> <span> </span></span>COVID is particularly monstrous; when this sister in Christ lapsed into a coma, no one was able to visit her or be with her physically. No visitors allowed, not even her family members. No one can send flowers or even give her a reassuring touch on her forearm to say that everything would be alright because of the high risk of being contaminated yourself. No one can be there for her physically. And so she is left there alone, isolated. Only the doctors, nurses and hospital staff were there for her. They became her temporary family. Although we were all praying for her; the physical isolation, took a toll on her. Of course, she might have questioned God and thought that she might not come back home. And so it is with this sickness. The virus isolates us from everyone and everything we are accustomed to and hold dear. COVID has demanded so much from us all and tested many of us to beyond breaking point even in our faith. And so it will be at the end of our lives, our salvation is personal, not corporate. We will stand before God, the Almighty and be judged upon our relationship with His Son. It will not matter if our brother or sister is a saint, that will not save us, only the blood of Christ will save us. </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">10. <span> </span> Be grateful for every "normal" day. </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span> <span> </span></span> Did you know that there is a thing called akathesia? This is the inability to sit still and the sufferer constantly moves and fidgets. Many people moan or complain about their colleagues at work, their bosses, their job, their spouse or the government, etc. and they forget that the ability to sit still and hear the birds singing is a miracle. Everyday we are alive is a miracle. We should be thankful that we are not in a hospital. We should be thankful that we are not in the emergency room. We should be thankful that we are not in a morgue. We should be thankful that we are not in a police station. We should be thankful that we can breathe. We should be thankful for this seemingly “normal” day. We should never take things things for granted. We should be more appreciative of what we have. </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <span> <span> </span></span>We should give thanks, in all circumstances. (1 Thessalonians 5: 18).</span></h2>yunesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05708369387553951067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935145258258915433.post-68101461585369072082011-09-19T04:57:00.001+01:002011-09-19T05:01:02.821+01:00Zen Spa ReviewFor this blog post I am grateful to have two of my good friends who will be reviewing and writing with me regarding our Zen Spa experience. Both of whom are Licensed Massage Therapists and Massage Therapy professionals in the Philippines. Let me present their spa reviews in two different formats.<br />
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Rommel D. Martinez, LMT, is a former scriptwriter who came from a Political Science background at San Sebastian College, founded Greenbay Therapeutic and Rejuvenation Services and also partnered with our good friend (Hadjii Crespo) in Transition Body Wellness Center. He developed (and in the process of writing the books/manuals for) his signature and most requested Graeco-Swedish Fusion, Hagobao (Coconut Massage), Greenbay Body Scrub, Greenbay Pediatric Massage (for 8-16 year olds), Greenbay Athletics, Meridian Therapy (a sort of acupuncture without needles) and some more. <br />
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As a timely birthday gift from me, Rommel went for a massage experience in Zen Institute Medical Spa in Scout Rallos in Quezon city on Sept. 7, 2011. Let me relate below Rommel's account of his Zen spa experience.<br />
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This branch offers Swedish Massage and Shiatsu for their massage services and also offers skin whitening (whole body or localized… underarm, bikini line), body sculpting for clients who have undergone liposuction or sagging skin/cellulite, body scrub (with salt glow, seaweed mask or whitening mask), facial contouring (sagging skin, double chin, BOTOX, biochemical facelift, fillers, lip sculpting, microcellular facelift by RF technology, facial spa with microcellular serum, facial toning and autologous cell rejuvenation). They also have anti-ageing therapy, acne treatment, laser hair removal, glycolic peel, electrocautery, and collagen induction. Their massage costs P1,500.00 (for basic).<br />
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I had my appointment at 3pm, but the usual me arrived early and I was there around 2:15. I thought I will have to wait until 3pm for my massage, but after only 15 minutes I was called in to have my massage. Oooh, I don’t have to wait long after all. It is not that hard to set an appointment, basta it is not on the following day unless they still have a free slot by then.<br />
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Since the place is inside Fanny Serrano´s salon, the space is not that big or spacious, in fact a bit crampy. Well their name is Zen so the set is quite minimalist (but not Japanese-ish). The reception area is not really roomy, off-white color with chocolate brown highlights. The light blue color of the shelf is, I think, out of place (perhaps to match the light blue panel in the a/c across it). The massage room is likewise small (like the cubicles in massage clinics of the visually impaired), but there is a shower room inside (because I only had the basic service, I did not take the shower). The water closet (toilet bowl) is in the CR at the end of the hall, so you better make your weewee (peee) first before you have your massage (and shower). The massage bed is immaculate white with built-in face hole, the metal frame is covered by the white sheet. The towels are also laundry-fresh and comfortably warm. There is a bath robe for use of those who take a shower first. Because the name includes “Medical”, I thought my vitals (B/P, temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate) will be taken first, but none of it was checked. I was not also asked to sign a client intake form. The receptionists are wearing medical coat which gives out a clinical air. Some of the cubicles have only dark and heavy curtain for door, some have sliding door.<br />
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The staff are friendly and accommodating. My therapist, Joanne, is very nice and friendly. I told her before my massage that I have an allergy flare-up, but it is drying up na, so she asked where it was and avoided the area during the session.<br />
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I had the Swedish Massage, but the massage felt like it was just a light and deep effleurage with just a bit of petrissage, and a lot of tapotement. I guess they are also joining in the anti-dengue drive because I counted a number of claps like swatting mosquitoes (there is no mosquito ha, hehehe). I wonder whoever started that “palakpak” move which is quite prevalent in many spas. I guess, aside from swatting mosquitoes, its other purpose is to wake you up in case you get too relaxed if you are feeling sleepy na. But if not for that “palakpak” moves, the massage is relaxing. Joanne also did very well in squeezing out those nodules or what people usually call “lamig” out of my trapezius, rhomboids and scapulae.<br />
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I guess what they need to improve on, for a start, they can look for a more spacious place, and change the piped-in music to a more oriental sound (or nature sound) instead of new-age, anyway their name is oriental. But their location is good, very near major roads but not that busy and noisy. If they stick to the “Medical” nature in their name, they might just as well take the vitals and have the clients fill up an in-take form. Over-all I can give the spa a grade of 80-85%. I can recommend the spa, but tell the others not to expect too much. If you prefer a Shiatsu massage, it is advisable to tell the receptionist when you book for your appointment, otherwise you might be automatically booked for Swedish. If you are looking for other types of massage (yung legit lang ha), you must scout around for other establishment because, as I said, they only offer Swedish or Shiatsu for their massage. <br />
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For the second spa review of Zen spa at Scout Rallos in Quezon city. I am presenting it in an interview format. Our next reviewer is Maria Fe M. Rapio, a DOH Licensed Massage Therapy Private Practitioner, an Occupational Therapist by education, have also a Physical Therapy background and a TESDA Assessor for Massage Therapy and Hilot Wellness Massage for Manila District. Clinical Trainer for MEDSSAN Training Institute, had been a Massage Trainer for several foundation such as Caritas Foundation, PAGA(Philippine American Guardian Association), AAP(American Association of the Philippines) CHILDHOPE. <br />
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What services do they offer? and how much are the range of prices?<br />
They offer facial and diamond peel and spa treatment such as body scrubs and massage as well<br />
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What time did you arrived? Did you wait long? Was it easy to schedule an appointment with them?<br />
I arrived 11:45 am 15 minutes before my scheduled time...Ii waited not that long because there is a therapist who is about to end a session with one of their clients 11:50am they started my massage ... I called over the phone and they prioritize ahead booking or ahead schedule clients rather than walk in ... I called on the 24th of august i was schedule the following day<br />
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How was the ambiance? Is it relaxing?<br />
The ambiance is really relaxing coz the entire scent of aromatherapy fills the air.<br />
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What about the cleanliness of the place, linen, etc<br />
The area is well maintained and the linens were arranged well.<br />
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How are the staff manners and behavior? Do they seem eager to serve you? Are they busy at the time of your arrival?<br />
All the staff are friendly and they attend to me eagerly... even if they have clients who stay there they still prioritize scheduled clients.<br />
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How was the massage session? What type of massage did you have?<br />
The massage was great I had a Swedish with Shiatsu massage ..<br />
The therapst knows all the areas of my stress .. I asked the therapist what type of oil will she be using for me when I find out its a mineral oil I asked her to use the one I brought with me and I gave it to her.<br />
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What do you think is the uniqueness of the place?<br />
They have state of the art facial equipment and they have wide range of derma products <br />
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What do you like and don't like about the place, the massage session you had, the therapist and/or the session? what do you think needs improvement?<br />
The therapist should have at least 10 minutes rest before engaging to another service to prevent them to have tiring hands ...<br />
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Would you recommend this place to your friends and family?<br />
If you are person who values time and schedule to follow I will definitely recommend this place coz they follow schedule and value clients time<br />
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If you were to rate the massage experience how would you rate it from a scale of 1-100?<br />
80-85 will have be a as good as what i can sense or maybe they dont allow me to have shower becoz its a gift certificate only hehehehe <br />
<br />
Is there anything you need we should know about your visit to this spa? and any tips for spa goers out there who would like to try out their services?<br />
If they want to experience massage in the city setting Zen Institute will be a nice place to stay and a smiling personnel that will assisst them on having their massage.<br />
<br />
<br />
Guidelines in the writing of this spa/massage clinic review were observed, click on the link below to read about my guidelines:<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://yunesa.blogspot.com/2009/07/consumer-and-spa-enthusiasts-review.html">http://yunesa.blogspot.com/2009/07/consumer-and-spa-enthusiasts-review.html</a><br />
<br />
The most comprehensive resource and information guide on the list of training centers, magazines, publications, books and literatures both local and international are all available in the book, “The Spa, Massage and Wellness Resource Guide and Career Book”. The First Book on Spa, Massage and Wellness Resource Book and Career Guide<br />
<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/6425282/About-the-Book-Spa-Massage-and-Wellness-Resource-Guide-and-Career-Book">http://www.scribd.com/doc/6425282/About-the-Book-Spa-Massage-and-Wellness-Resource-Guide-and-Career-Book</a><br />
(this has the most comprehensive list of training centers in the Philippines and abroad with tips from professionals and employment opportunities, legal laws and regulations, list of employment agencies, how to choose a trainer, and information that you need in order to succeed in this industry and before you shell out money for your tuition or training, there are a lot of ways you can grab a copy of this valuable information para hindi ka mag sayang ng time and money enrolling in trainings you do not even need. This book will give you the information to start right in the industry with secrets you should know and being able to find your rainbow in the wonderful world of massage, spa and wellness.<br />
<br />
1. You can order it online via <a href="http://www.amazon.com/">http://www.amazon.com/</a> at 34.95$<br />
<br />
2. You can order it via a Kindle device at $7.99<br />
<br />
3. You can order an e-book copy through my blog at <a href="http://www.yunesa.blogspot.com/">http://www.yunesa.blogspot.com/</a> at $19.95<br />
<br />
4. You can also get a copy from National Bookstores nationwide at P799Pesos<br />
<br />
5. For locals only, you can order it from me at local discounted rates with free delivery at 900Pesos (via LBC or FEDEX Air 21. Anywhere in the Philippines. Please allow 1-5 working days<br />
<br />
If you are looking for a career opportunity, not just a job in the spa, massage therapy and wellness industry, this book is a must read.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
This review was written by: Eunice Estipona a spa consultant, mentor, advisor, speaker and lecturer. One of her advocacies is to make healing and information regarding the field of spa, massage and wellness accessible and affordable to everyone. If you are serious about turning your business or practice around, making the right decisions, getting an unbiased opinion and knowing where to get help, for lectures and other concerns she can be contacted at yunesa@yahoo.com or +639184745685. To find out how she can help you take your business to the next level, visit her site at <a href="http://www.meetup.com/philippinemassagetherapy">http://www.meetup.com/philippinemassagetherapy</a><br />
<br />
These along with hundreds of resources found locally and abroad are contained in “The Spa, Massage and Wellness Resource and Career Book”, the first book of resource information to know more about the Spa, Massage and Wellness Industry in the Philippines and other countries including the United States, Australia and other Asian countries. You can view, read, download and print for FREE the book’s summary at this link <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/6425282/About-the-Book-Spa-Massage-and-Wellness-Resource-Guide-and-Career-Book">http://www.scribd.com/doc/6425282/About-the-Book-Spa-Massage-and-Wellness-Resource-Guide-and-Career-Book</a><br />
<br />
If you are a spa, massage therapy and wellness information seeker the resources contained in the book for you. This book is a collection of data and valuable information regarding the spa and massage industry in a global perspective with a focus on the Philippines. Her advocacy in writing the book is to make “unbiased” information regarding the field of spa, massage and wellness resources and career, accessible and affordable for everyone. If you are considering a career in the massage, spa and wellness industry, this book will prepare you and give you a glimpse of what it is like, the preparation you need to take: emotionally, intellectually and financially. In this book, you will learn more details in the spa and massage field and the possible paths you can take. You will also learn about local and international training programs offered and numerous employment possibilities. Giving you much needed information at your fingertips. You can order it from http://www.amazon.com/ or for local Philippine residents, you can email and get in touch with Eunice at yunesa@yahoo.com.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
TERMS OF REPRINT<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
You can freely distribute a copy of this review provided, that you follow the terms of reprint. Be certain to read our TERMS OF REPRINT and honor our TERMS OF REPRINT when you use this review. Thank you.<br />
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Helpful Link: The Digital Millennium Copyright Act – Overview <a href="http://www.gseis.ucla.edu/iclp/dmca1.htm">http://www.gseis.ucla.edu/iclp/dmca1.htm</a><br />
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Our TERMS OF REPRINT are fully enforcible under the terms of: The Digital Millennium Copyright Act <a href="http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c105:H.R.2281.ENR">http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c105:H.R.2281.ENR</a>:<br />
*** Digital Reprint Rights **** If you publish this article in a website/forum/ blog, etc. You Must Set All URL's or Mailto Addresses in the body of the article AND in the Author's Resource Box as Hyperlinks (clickable links).* Links must remain in the form that we published them. Clean links should point to the Author's links without redirects having been inserted into the copy.* You are not allowed to Change or Delete any Words or Links in the review or Resource Box. Paragraph breaks must be retained with articles. You can change where the paragraph breaks fall, but you cannot eliminate all paragraph breaks as some have chosen to do.* Email Distribution of this review must be done through Opt-in Email Only. No Unsolicited Commercial Email.* You are allowed to format the layout of the review for proper display of the article in your website or in your ezine, so long as you can maintain the author's interests within the article.* You may not use sentences from this review as an input for any software that steals sentences from others in order to build an article with software. The copyright on this article applies to the "WHOLE" article.*** Author Notification ***We ask that you notify the author of publication of her work. Eunice can be reached at: <a href="mailto:yunesa@yahoo.com">yunesa@yahoo.com</a> *** Print Publication Reprint Rights ***If you desire to publish this review in a PRINT publication, you must contact the author directly for Print Permission at: <a href="mailto:yunesa@yahoo.com">yunesa@yahoo.com</a><br />
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The content of this review is solely the property and opinion of its author, Eunice Estipona<br />
<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/q7Nl-Ij_zYo&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/q7Nl-Ij_zYo&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>yunesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05708369387553951067noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935145258258915433.post-77650997799198561722011-08-13T02:23:00.003+01:002011-08-13T02:47:51.137+01:00The Spa, Massage Therapy, Beauty and Wellness Professional's Prayer CollectionThe Spa, Massage Therapy and Wellness Professionals Prayer Collection<br />
By <br />
Eunice Estipona<br />
yunesa(at)yahoo.com<br />
<br />
Here is a collection of prayers of adoration, acknowledgement, thanksgiving and petition for the spa, massage, beauty and wellness industry stake holders. I encourage you, whatever your position in the spa, massage clinic or wellness center, to pray everyday with a spirit of expectation. Expect for the best, expect that God will make a way, God answers prayers and that God will provide- because He will.<br />
<br />
Please share this collection of prayers with anybody in the spa, massage and wellness industry: your friends, staff and colleagues and find a prayer that suits you best.<br />
<br />
Prayer of a Spa Concierge/ Receptionist/ Front Desk Staff<br />
<br />
Lord thank you for hearing my prayers that even before I ask you, you already know what I need better than I know what I need. Thank you Lord because whenever I ask, I receive, whenever I seek, I find and whenever I knock, doors open to me. You make your angels go before me to work to clear my path. You make my day of work both enjoyable and filled with love. Bestow upon me the wisdom and wit to create the right impression for the establishment that I am working for. Give me the knowledge to know and suggest the specific treatments and therapies for each client that enters the door. I pray that I will make the right reservations, be able to organize treatment sessions and be very patient in handling people. Give me the ability to communicate effectively and tactfully. Let me enjoy my work to entertain questions and queries by guests over the phone or face to face. May I assign the right client to the right therapist, acknowledge and greet guests in a courteous manner. Making them feel as if they have entered their own complete sanctuary and a different environment than their usual. May I assist all of our team members such as the massage therapists, spa therapists, facial therapists and even the spa owners in making the establishment a profitable place for us all. May I fulfill your divine purpose in my life and make me do everything with gladness of heart, in Jesus’ name, Amen.<br />
<br />
<br />
Prayer of a Reflexologist<br />
<br />
I rejoice that you have given me the skill and the knowledge in reflexology. Your power is in me whenever I perform reflexology. You are my strength and my power without you I can do nothing. I exercise the gifts and virtues that you have given to me. You empower me to do what is right, to say the right things and to follow your will in my work as a reflexologist. Lord God, grant me the professional skill to perform hand, foot and ear massage. Let my professional experience be shared with others through my hands. Let me see the progress of good health and stamina that each session is giving my client. May I be able to establish good rapport with my clients, a peaceful working relationship with my co-workers and a concerned attitude toward my superiors. May I be able to identify the concerns of the client and be able to use the right techniques for their health and well-being. Make my heart genuinely interested in working with people and be comfortable in touching their hands, feet and ears. May I exceed the professionalism and sense of care required from most professionals, in Jesus’ most precious name, Amen.<br />
<br />
<br />
Prayer of a Massage Therapist or Bodyworker<br />
<br />
I praise you and adore you Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I know and I feel that you are blessing me right now dear Lord. You are pouring your anointing oil upon my hands as I pour the oil to my client’s body. You are blessing my oily hands with a double portion of your Spirit, your gifts, your virtues, and your healing. Make my skill, profession, and knowledge a positive force to affect the health and well-being of my client. Use my thumbs, hands, elbows, palms, knuckles and fingers to relieve the pain or tension in the muscles of my clients. May each technique provide relaxation and relief from all body, muscle and joint pains. Give me the strength to perform massage therapy that alleviates painful ailments, decompresses tired and overworked muscles of the body. May I always support other service providers in giving the best positive experience for the clients and be consistent with what the client needs according to massage and spa protocols and accepted professional practices. May I be able to assess the condition of the client, maintain proper body mechanics, proper decorum and be able to develop loyal clients under my care. Use my hands and physical capability to meet my client’s expectations in knowing how to knead, rub, rock, tap or apply pressure to client’s sore muscles and limbs. Use them to induce relaxation, assist in rehabilitation and contribute to their overall physical and emotional well-being. Let something good come out of this massage therapy session because I know that your abundance is above and beyond what I can comprehend. Through my massage therapy skill, a mountain of blessing awaits my life and through this skill, will I give glory to you Oh God. In Jesus’ marvelous name, Amen.<br />
<br />
<br />
Prayer of an Esthetician, Facial Therapist, Skin Care Technician or Beauty Therapist<br />
<br />
I praise you Lamb of God, King of kings and Lord of lords. You are my fortress and my delight. I am safe in the center of your perfect will, so lead me in your path for my work today. I trust you completely for my work and my future as an esthetician, facial therapist or beauty therapist. Today, I ask you Lord to let me begin in the inward beauty of a person and of myself. Let my work help alleviate skin disorders and help others improve and beautify their skin. Give me enthusiasm, team spirit and the knowledge fit for a professional with this skill so that the aesthetic treatments that I will perform will promote a feeling of well-being, care, tactfulness and a radiant looking skin. I pray that I will be able to execute services to accommodate the needs of my clients without compromising service, standards and sanitation. May I be able to recommend home care routines to each client serviced, so that each may have a clear skin. May I always be pleasant, caring and have a genuine interest in what I do. May I be able to adapt to change, calmly and efficiently multi-task, with an emphasis on cooperation and courtesy to my colleagues including the management. Let me use the right skin care product, the right techniques to the right client and be able to perform aesthetic procedures. May I be able to recognize skin problems that I must refer to dermatologists, podiatrist, plastic surgeons and other medical practitioners. Give me a heart to desire what you want from my life, to walk in confidence as I follow you daily, and be able to share my ability to others, in Jesus’ most powerful name, Amen.<br />
<br />
<br />
Prayer of a Spa Therapist, Spa Technician or Spa Attendant<br />
<br />
You are my delight, you guard over my heart and my soul. You mold me into your Son’s image through my work as a spa therapist, spa technician or spa attendant. Let my skill of providing treatments be evident in the work of my hands to improve the general appearance and the client’s well-being suit different client objectives. Give me competency, dear God with the variety of spa therapies and utilize what I know to satisfy and empower guests on the spot without hassle. Give me the knowledge, wisdom and discerning spirit to assess what products and services will be most beneficial for the client, perform body treatments on clients with care, professionalism and attentiveness to each client’s needs. May I always find it enjoyable to maintain treatment rooms to the highest standards of cleanliness, hygiene and presentation ensuring that all products and treatments delivered to every individual client are appropriate to the guests’ needs and condition. Let me shine His light through what I do and through the work that I do, in Jesus’ name, Amen.<br />
<br />
<br />
Prayer of a Spa, Massage Therapy and Wellness Instructor, Trainer or Teacher<br />
<br />
God in Heaven, Maker of Earth, thank you for renewing me everyday. You revive my spirit and give rest to my soul. You turn every problem into a spring of blessing. Dear Lord, I submit my students to you today to the level that I want them to be better in what they do, even if it means being better than me. Grant me the dedication to positively teach what I know, the guts to face a knowledge hungry crowd, and the ability to communicate effectively. Bless the information and the teaching that I will share today that my students will be able to use it to bless others and develop their skills and competencies. Let me be a knowledgeable guide and be able to provide an environment where my students can develop their understanding and cooperation with each other. May I always speak passionately in my subject matter. May I always be committed in imparting knowledge and developing my student’s potential instead of just letting them memorize facts and techniques. May I always inspire my students to open themselves up for more learning and acceptance of others and be able to use what they have learned to benefit others. I know that everything I need and ask for will come to me through the right opportunities, learning, circumstances, events and people. Nothing is ever impossible for those who believe, and so I claim the fulfillment of my hopes and dreams. In the Mighty name of your Son Jesus Christ, Amen.<br />
<br />
<br />
Prayer of a Spa, Massage Therapy and Wellness Speaker or Lecturer<br />
<br />
I adore you. I praise you. I worship you with my heart, mind, body and soul. Let my mouth be your mouthpiece. Let the words that will be uttered in my lips be your words. Let me bless my audience and provide expert support in the spa, massage therapy and wellness field. Let me be a force for good, be able to motivate and carefully plan my speech so that my audience will be able to learn and apply them in their lives. Let this event of speaking be a memorable experience both to my audience and to myself- so that I may speak the truth with love and understanding, and that I myself will be able to apply them in my own personal life. Let me have an insatiable appetite to learn and hone my speaking skills, know my audience, and be able to provide information relevant to this industry. Let the content of my lecture and speech be delivered with love and blessings to all those who hear. I trust in you Lord with all my heart and lean not in my own understanding. In all my ways, I acknowledge You. In You I stand secure and know that my past, present and future is in His hands. I face my audience with confidence and inspiration from above, Thank you Lord Jesus, Amen.<br />
<br />
<br />
Prayer of a Spa Supervisor<br />
<br />
You are causing my life to overflow. You Oh Lord have made me glad. I will shout for joy and sing praises to you my God. Dear God, today I submit to you my responsibilities to aid the spa manager in his/her tasks. Help me in the back end operations of the spa. Make me a team leader in the absence of our spa manager and a responsible overseer when needed. Let me focus on the frontline nuts and bolts of running a spa, act on behalf of a spa manager when one is not available, and provide leadership for spa attendants and spa reservation staff. Let me recognize every lack and be able to make-up for it. Let your protective arms surround me. Thank you for the miracles that come my way and thank you for granting my prayers in the best possible ways that my mind cannot not even comprehend. Every living thing conspires to bless me and my work. Thank you God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, Amen.<br />
<br />
<br />
Prayer of a Spa Director or Operations Director<br />
<br />
You are glorious, You are wonderful, You are ever present and All-knowing. Your goodness and kindness follow me. You are awesome in my life and in my workplace, Mighty God. You are blessing me beyond measure and overflowing for others to be blessed as well. Use me as a channel of your love in overseeing the spa, fitness and leisure area. Let me set fair and workable policies that create the daily routine of all spa staff under me. Bless me in keeping the spa running smoothly to make sure that the staff operates with peak efficiency through coordination, communication and cooperation. Provide me with the knowledge to be responsible with financial budgets and outcomes, for growing new business opportunities, developing the market, and overseeing the staff around me. Let me have a sincere desire to help other people, to have excellent and first-rate communication and interpersonal skills, and to have the determination and persistence to achieve success. Let me be a spa director who is driven and passionate about understanding the client and exceeding their expectations and commit to develop my staff who works on these clients. Give me wisdom to look for solutions and problems that arise instantly. Make me organized, able to act on my initiative and be a reliable team leader. Give me the striving attitude to deliver financial goals with sound business acumen, high level of empathy towards those below my position, be emotionally mature, level-headed and can deal with different situations from different people at the same time. Let me have on my sleeves effective marketing strategies, negotiating skills, an eye for detail and a mentor for the professional growth of my staff. Let not the clients and other people see the stress that I am under in order to be truly present for guests and employees so that the spa can be financially successful. Make every move I make bring peace, love and joy unto others. Let me serve you by serving others, through Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.<br />
<br />
<br />
Prayer of a Spa, Massage Clinic and Wellness Business and Operations Consultant<br />
<br />
You are Lord that completes me and in your presence am I made whole. You root out any negative emotions in my heart, in my soul and in my mind. You set me free. God, Maker of Heaven and Earth, give me the wisdom to address the issues and concerns of my client and to be able to solve the specific issue at hand. Give me the knowledge and wisdom to handle all aspects of spa start-up including market assessments, financial feasibility and overall marketing plan. I pray that every problem, concern and circumstances that bother my client be cast away. I will grow deeper in love with you Lord through serving the needs of my clients and their businesses with each passing day. Let your abundance in supplying our needs be made open unto us as you prosper the work of our hands. As I use my strength, my knowledge and my gift to serve my clients and be richly rewarded. I praise you for the generosity and for giving us the steps to improve the business and lead my clients to abundance. Bless this professional relationship together as we grow and serve you deeper and deeper everyday. In the Mighty name of Jehovah God, Amen<br />
<br />
<br />
Prayer of a Spa, Massage Therapy and Wellness Book Author, Writer, Blogger<br />
<br />
Father God through your mighty son Jesus Christ, I submit to you my ability in writing. I ask you to bless the words that I type and write. I commit myself to enrich others through my writings, articles, blogs and books. I am truly wealthy with the knowledge that you have given me and since I am in a position to influence others through my writings, let this blessing flow through other people’s lives. You have given me a heart to serve others through what I write so let my hands be your hands and let me go the extra mile to serve others through whatever I write. Let my readers experience the words that I write change and transform others to be better persons and individuals to be able to fulfill your purpose in their lives. Let me serve you and others with humility, expecting others in return-not even acknowledgement or praise because your praise and acknowledgement is what I deeply aspire for. In Jesus mighty name this I pray. Amen.<br />
<br />
<br />
Prayer of a Spa, Massage Clinic and Wellness Owner or Entrepreneur<br />
<br />
You are with me Lord in this business endeavor. You are transforming us to be better citizens and better entrepreneurs for our own country, the people that work for us and the people that we serve. You are our model and to you, and only you, will we trust and obey. May those who seek physical health and well-being find our place a haven of rest and relaxation. May our staff who serves them, serve them with care and sympathy. You Lord are ordering the events that lead to the establishment of this business so that people I need to help will cross my path. You are sending your angels to protect our premises, the equipment and my staff and to aid me in our daily operations. You cause the right people to be favorable to me. Thank you. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.<br />
<br />
What is a prayer? Commonly, it’s an uttering of adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication, and requests to a higher being- some call Him Allah, some call Him Jehovah, some Jesus Christ, some God the Father, I call Him God, the Maker of Heaven and Earth. But mere prayer is not a prayer until we actually say it, believe in it and/or do it. A prayer is more than words. Did you know that what we think, say and do are also forms of prayers? God answers prayers: not the prayers that we merely say- the prayers that we think and do weigh much more than verbal prayers. You might be verbally praying to pass your licensure examination, but if on the other hand, you are not studying your lessons then what you are praying for is really to fail. If you are verbally praying for financial abundance but you do not save a portion of your income, then you are really praying for poverty. If you are praying for the downfall of another person then you are also cursing yourself because whatever you sow you reap. If you are praying to become one of the best massage and spa therapist in town but you do not want to learn different techniques and you are not interested in studying about them- then you are praying to be a mediocre spa and massage therapist. If you wanted to write a book on spa, massage therapy and wellness but you do not like writing your thoughts and compiling what you know then you are praying not to become an author. If you are praying for a successful spa, massage clinic business and yet you do not want to read numbers or you do not want to make a business plan then you are really praying for failure. If you are praying for the right opportunity but you are ignoring your core gifts and positions that only offer a small salary then you are not really praying for the right opportunity because with these small opportunities lies greater abundance. Remember Joseph started as a slave in Egypt, David started as a sheep caretaker. Its not only the words that we speak during prayer time. Because what you think, say and do- is actually your prayer.<br />
<br />
May all your prayers give you love, joy, peace and prosperity! <br />
<br />
God bless you more!<br />
<br />
<br />
---------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
If you are an owner or would be entering the field, profession or business of massage clinics, spa and wellness establishments offering massage therapy- you need to comply with the recent rules and regulations of massage therapy licensure in the Philippines- here is the link to the recent changes:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/5028198/HOW-TO-BE-A-LICENSED-MASSAGE-THERAPIST-IN-THE-PHILIPPINES">http://www.scribd.com/doc/5028198/HOW-TO-BE-A-LICENSED-MASSAGE-THERAPIST-IN-THE-PHILIPPINES<br />
</a><br />
<br />
I would also like to share the five things that I have learned in massage school, in the spa and wellness industry- which I also learned from a pencil. This is the transcribed thoughts and speech I delivered as a guest speaker during the oath taking of newly licensed massage therapists last June 17, 2011. Click on the link below:<br />
<a href="http://yunesa.blogspot.com/2011/07/five-things-i-learned-in-massage-school.html">http://yunesa.blogspot.com/2011/07/five-things-i-learned-in-massage-school.html<br />
</a><br />
<br />
---------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
A list of training centers, magazines, publications, books and literatures both local and international are all available in the book, “The Spa, Massage and Wellness Resource Guide and Career Book”. You can order it online via http://www.amazon.com/ or for local Philippine orders, email yunesa@yahoo.com. If you are looking for a career opportunity, not just a job in the spa, massage therapy and wellness industry, this book is a must read.<br />
<br />
This article is written by: Eunice Estipona a spa consultant, mentor, advisor, speaker and lecturer. One of her advocacies is to make healing and information regarding the field of spa, massage and wellness accessible and affordable to everyone. If you are serious about turning your business or practice around, making the right decisions, getting an unbiased opinion and knowing where to get help, for lectures and other concerns she can be contacted at yunesa@yahoo.com or +639184745685. To find out how she can help you take your business to the next level, visit her site at http://www.meetup.com/philippinemassagetherapy<br />
These along with hundreds of resources found locally and abroad are contained in “The Spa, Massage and Wellness Resource and Career Book”, the first book of resource information to know more about the Spa, Massage and Wellness Industry in the Philippines and other countries including the United States, Australia and other Asian countries. You can view, read, download and print for FREE the book’s summary at this link <a href="http://yunesa.blogspot.com/2011/07/five-things-i-learned-in-massage-school.html">http://www.scribd.com/doc/6425282/About-the-Book-Spa-Massage-and-Wellness-Resource-Guide-and-Career-Book<br />
</a><br />
If you are a spa, massage therapy and wellness information seeker the resources contained in the book for you. This book is a collection of data and valuable information regarding the spa and massage industry in a global perspective with a focus on the Philippines. Her advocacy in writing the book is to make “unbiased” information regarding the field of spa, massage and wellness resources and career, accessible and affordable for everyone. If you are considering a career in the massage, spa and wellness industry, this book will prepare you and give you a glimpse of what it is like, the preparation you need to take: emotionally, intellectually and financially. In this book, you will learn more details in the spa and massage field and the possible paths you can take. You will also learn about local and international training programs offered and numerous employment possibilities. Giving you much needed information at your fingertips. You can order it from http://www.amazon.com/ or for local Philippine residents, you can email and get in touch with Eunice at yunesa@yahoo.com.<br />
<br />
TERMS OF REPRINT<br />
<br />
You can freely distribute a copy of this article provided, that you follow the terms of reprint. Be certain to read our TERMS OF REPRINT and honor our TERMS OF REPRINT when you use this article. Thank you.<br />
<br />
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<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/q7Nl-Ij_zYo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>yunesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05708369387553951067noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935145258258915433.post-69347391576229445212011-07-25T07:48:00.005+01:002011-08-08T16:25:34.876+01:00Five Things I Learned in Massage School, I Learned from a PencilFive Things I Have Learned in the Spa, Massage Therapy and Wellness Industry, <br />
I learned from a Pencil<br />
(Text and Thoughts during the Oath Taking and Induction <br />
of <br />
Newly Licensed Massage Therapists<br />
June 17, 2011)<br />
By Eunice Estipona<br />
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The original version (author unknown) of what I will share with you was forwarded to my email last May 24, 2011 by my good friend Rommel Martinez. He is a great massage therapist and was a top-notched student in the previous licensure exams. However I decided to add my own thoughts and experiences to this wonderful story. So today, I am sharing this with you as I shared it (but more articulate and profound than) during the June 17, 2011- Oath Taking and Induction of the Newly Licensed Massage Therapist at the Grand Opera Hotel in Manila, Philippines.<br />
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Nearly a decade ago, I was at our oath taking held at the Department of Health in Sta. Cruz, Manila, at the time of this writing, the newly inducted 2011 LMT oath takers have been held at the Manila Grand Opera Hotel- a great leap in boosting the morale of new massage therapists. Thanks to people who paved the way for this to happen and that includes the Committee of Examiners for Massage Therapy and his team headed by the Chairperson, Dr. Kenneth Ronquillo and Ms. Josephine H. Hipolito CEMT Secretariat, both are great pillars in the massage industry) with the collaboration of the Philippine Association of Licensed Massage Therapists headed by its President, Mr. Jevren Sibug and Vice-President Mr. Pedro Vasquez II (or Sir Pete as we fondly call him) both of whom are enthusiastic encouragers and inspiring people in the field of massage therapy in the Philippines and the Continuing Massage Therapy Education Council (CMTEC), Massage Therapy Assessors, together with all the Training instructors nationwide, for sharing your knowledge and wisdom to the industry, the amazing lives that you have touched are the inspiration for the next generation to come, all of whom I dearly admire- indeed the massage profession has gone a long way. All your efforts made a difference because you took the time to organize and volunteer. Thank you for being the models of vision, passion and purpose that this industry so desperately needs. Know that you are all represented in these pages.<br />
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Last June 17, 2011, during their oath taking and induction, as a guest speaker, I cannot help but reminisce about the past and how the profession has evolved and it helped me find my rainbow in the industry. Indeed massage therapy is a viable career as the year’s current theme states. Kudos to all of you who makes a difference in the world of massage therapy, hats off to all of you and God bless you in your endeavor to be an instrument in the progress of massage therapy profession in the Philippines. Your example is a wonderful lesson to us all. Please accept my sincere thanks.<br />
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The first lesson I have learned from a pencil and from the spa, massage therapy and wellness industry is that, everything you do will always leave a mark. An area to look into is to leave a mark or to leave a legacy, although a good ambition- it’s a short sighted one. You are not placed here on Earth to be remembered or to just leave a mark, you are here to prepare for eternity. In preparing for that, you have to use your career, your work, your license, your profession- but you might be asking, how? You have to make sure that your stepping stone with all the gifts that has been given you is spent not only on yourself but for others. This means everything you do, even simple chores or words as saying “God bless you”, “Thank you”, “I love you”, “Forgive me”- has eternal implications. I believe that one of the foundations of truly leaving a mark in another person’s life is to feel happy for the success of others. Sometimes, people aren’t happy for the success of others because they feel threatened. If you think badly of the success of others, you won’t be successful because you will also be thinking badly of your own success- you will eventually put yourself down too. So it’s very important to bless those whom you admire- so that their blessings will rub off on you. If you see a classmate, a colleague, a neighbor, a seatmate, a fellow massage therapist, a massage instructor or anyone who gets successful, who gets promoted, who gets the position, who gets an award – be happy for that person, bless them, admire them and learn from them. You need to wish blessing on others and train yourself to celebrate the success of others because what goes around comes around. That is why it is very important to say “God bless you” because with the blessing you give unto others, that is also the blessing that will be given to you. <br />
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The second lesson I have learned from a pencil and from the spa, massage therapy and wellness industry is that, you can always correct the mistakes you make. We will always fall short out of others expectations or even our very own expectations. We are not perfect but there is no reason not to strive for correcting our mistakes or giving ourselves a second chance. Your past doesn’t matter, your mistakes doesn’t matter- what matters is what you will be doing after your mistake. After we have fallen. If a pencil makes mistakes, it doesn’t worry, it doesn’t whine, it doesn’t blame- not because the pencil does not care- but because the pencil knows that it can always correct the mistakes it has made. The pencil can always depend on its eraser (or its correction fluid- whatever..). When we make a mistake- erase. Erase. Erase. Erase. How do we erase? by forgiving ourselves, by forgiving others, by starting all over again, by saying “sorry”, by learning from our mistakes and by doing it right the next time around. How many times do we need to forgive? In Matthew 18:21, 22 said we must forgive seventy times seven. Jesus is saying we should forgive other people abundantly more than we could ever forgive. Madaling sabihin pero mahirap gawin so what do we do now? We should train ourselves and practice it daily to get the muscles of forgiveness strong- na madali tayong makapagpatawad. Make it a part of our habit to get less and less angry, less and less resentful everyday. Another angle to look at it is with our mistakes and our weaknesses- these are God’s way for us to work with and look for others who are strong in areas where we are weak. Why do we have weaknesses? In order for us to form teams, help each other and cooperate with each other. Our strengths maybe the weakness of others and our weaknesses maybe the strengths of others this is why we need each other. That is precisely why we have different systems of the body because each of our systems serves different function but every cell, tissue, organ and system works together to make our body alive. Each has its own function even though we make mistakes. So, believe that even if we are imperfect, together with others, you can still achieve what God has placed in your heart. As a pencil, we always have an eraser with us. Erase. Erase. Erase.<br />
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The third lesson I have learned from a pencil and from the spa, massage therapy and wellness industry is that, what is important is what is inside of you. No matter what appearance we have. No matter where we graduated. No matter what we have achieved what is important is what is inside of us. What is your purpose for living? What is your unique role in the world? Just like a pencil, the outer doesn’t really matter as long as the pencil writes. Kahit maganda at mamahalin ang pencil kung hindi naman makasulat – wala ring function. Yun naman talaga ang function ng pencil – magsulat, for drawing, for marking, etc. Pencils are not meant for display, to be thrown away or to be a weapon. As a pencil we have to look at what is inside of us- what we have to offer, what we have to give and what we have to contribute. Do not be trapped by other’s expectations and other people’s opinion- drowning your dreams and your inner convictions. Have the courage to follow your heart and your gut. A large percentage of our lives will be spent on work and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you truly believe is great work. The only way to do that is by loving what you do, loving your clients, loving your profession and loving what you are contributing to others. If you haven’t found your one true love (whether this be at work or matters of the heart) then keep looking and never settle anything less than what you really love and have passion for. And when you find it, take care of it, nurture it and cultivate it so it will get better and better as the years go by. Discover what is inside of you by discovering your passion, discovering your core gift, discovering your true purpose, discovering your mission, discovering what you are excellent at, discover your core competency and discovering your hunger. You need to work at that gift and spend your entire time to develop your gift, your talents and your skills. When you try to answer: why do you want to be successful? Why do you want to be wealthy? Why do you want a license? Is it for our own selfish gain? Is it because you mother or aunt told you so? Is it to prove your self? Your reasons, your why, your purpose will always direct you. Because if your “why” is big enough you will always succeed in achieving your goals. The reasons must always come from the heart and not just from the brain. Establish your mission and the driving force in you life. Keep looking inside of you and get to know yourself deeply until you find what moves you and don’t settle for anything less than what you truly love to do. After this, move on into different avenues of career development. Never stop learning. Continue to hone your skills, your strengths and your talents, huwag magsawa sa pag attend ng mga seminars and trainings and do not be tired of learning. Learning is an investment on yourself, do not look at learning as a burden or as “gastos lang yan”- continue to learn and be hungry for things that will make you a better person- inside and outside. One way of learning is to be able to read a lot and if you can afford it- travel and learn from other culture. If you can afford it or your family supports you, start planning to travel. My travels both locally and abroad also gave me the privilege of appreciating and understanding that every tribe and culture worldwide should embrace diversity and converge on a common goal of being a flowing well for others to benefit from. We learn from history and the practice of other cultures. Its been an amazing experience. Because you cannot give what you do not have. Look for people who will inspire you, the insights and the wisdom to advance your career. Focus on what is inside of you: your character and your attitude because what is inside of you will be shared to others.<br />
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The fourth lesson I have learned from a pencil and from the spa, massage therapy and wellness industry is that, in life you will undergo painful sharpenings, which will only make you better. Sometimes, you will feel that life is awful, that there is nobody there for you, that there is no hope and that life gets to hit you in the head with a brick- yeah… BIG TIME- but these bitter pills will ultimately make you better. These are learning curves which will tilt you either to become bitter or better. In every problem- dapat nagiging mas mabuti tayong tao at nagiging mas mature. Never lose faith. We will never know what tests will come your way: you might not be earning enough, you might be in a difficult situation, you might be in the cross roads of your life, you might start with a daily wage of just fifty pesos a day (I was earning only 50 pesos a day), you might receive a harsh remark, an undeserved criticism, friends turned enemies, money concerns or seemingly impossible problems. But in all these please remember that how you react is how God looks closely at you. Everything will soon pass. Everything is for your character development. These are opportunities to either demonstrate love or hate. Every year, every month, every day and every minute is an important moment to bless others. Just like a pencil, in order to be used- we need to be sharpened.<br />
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The last but not the least, the fifth lesson I have learned from a pencil and from the spa, massage therapy and wellness industry is that, to be the best pencil, you must allow yourself to be guided by the hand that holds you. Our lives are like an empty canvass and in order to make the best of who you are, we are to submit everything to Him. Remember that life is a trust, being a massage therapist is a trust, being a massage instructor is a trust, being a spa therapist is a trust, having a license is a trust- Everything is a trust. A pencil will not be able to write no matter how expensive or how beautiful your pencil is- if the Hand that holds it will not use it- it will not be able to serve its function. That pencil is us. The hand that holds us is our Creator. Our time on Earth and our energy, our money, our intelligence, our resources, our friends, our colleagues in the industry, our family, relationships, our talents, our abilities, our skills, our instructors, our license and our profession and everything we have now are a gift from God that He has entrusted to our care. We never really own anything during our brief stay on Earth. God is temporarily assigning it on our care while we are here. Two years ago, I have been diagnosed with myoma- a non-life threatening disease (in most cases) and that time, even if it’s not a case of life and death, I have come to realize that I have to focus on things that matters most. Remembering that everyday we are closer to our graves and we’ll be dead soon is the most important tool to help us make the big decisions in life. Because almost everything- success and even failures, sama ng loob, our titles, our diplomas, our certificates, our position, the wealth that we accumulated, the education we reached, the Earthly accomplishments- everything we cherish or enjoy- are all temporary- it will all fade away in the face of death. What is truly important is our relationship with the Creator and relationships with our fellowmen. You will not face death with your awards or diplomas or money – if that is the case then focus on what is really important and nothing is more important than relationships. If relationships are most important then decide now to grow old with each other- grow old with your colleagues, your classmates, your friends and instructors. Grow old with the one you truly love. Just prepare your heart and the Hand that guides you will give you the right opportunities, the resources and the right people that will prepare you for success. So keep preparing, keep sowing- the Hand that holds you will always have a right timing for you to give birth to your great aspirations.<br />
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In conclusion, your first job after this oath taking and induction is to take care of everything you have been given. Your time is limited so do not waste it living someone else’s dream for you or waste it with petty things and disagreements. Follow your rainbow, follow your heart and follow the hand that holds your future. Everything else is secondary.<br />
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God bless you more and more!<br />
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This is a prepared text and thoughts of Eunice Estipona on the recently concluded 2011 oath taking and induction of newly licensed massage therapists in Manila, Philippines. To download a copy on your computer, click on the link below:<br />
<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/60833737/Five-Things-I-Have-Learned-in-Massage-School-PDF-File">http://www.scribd.com/doc/60833737/Five-Things-I-Have-Learned-in-Massage-School-PDF-File<br />
</a>yunesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05708369387553951067noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935145258258915433.post-84817279272218316492011-02-13T11:54:00.003+00:002011-02-13T14:23:52.427+00:00Spa and Wellness, Massage Therapy, Business and Entrepreneurship Meetup (Lessons and After-thoughts)Manila, Philippines Meetup Groups:<br />
Business and Entrepreneurship<br />
Spa and Wellness<br />
Massage Therapy<br />
Lessons from Feb 05, 2011 event<br />
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There were so many things that I learned from the last Meetup of Business people and Entrepreneurs (or should I say Inno-preneurs) and professionals that belong to the Spa and Wellness as well as the Massage Therapy industry event held last February 05, 2011. I bet the attendees can enumerate more and I will highlight a few of them here. I will start with the lessons I learned from each speaker or segment of the event.<br />
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1. I learned from Hadjii Crespo that it doesn’t take so much time to untie the knots from stress points in our body (like the shoulders and lower back) we only need at least 15-30 minutes of trigger point release to de-stress our muscles. He demonstrated and has even given free samplers of the method to attendees. This is relieving because sometimes even if you want to spend “spa-mpering time” the whole day- you just can’t take the time off. In between our hectic schedule, we should. We really should. That is one thing that practitioners are guilty of. We always tend to take care of others without taking care of ourselves. Remember we cannot give what we don’t have, taking care of ourselves is one way we enrich our lives. Having known Hadjii through my good friend, Rommel Martinez, I have learned that it takes friendships also to do business together. There must be mutual acceptance and cooperation. You cannot do business with someone you dislike. That is one reason why both have stayed friends and became business partners. It has also been more than a year since I have known Hadjii and I am grateful because he was introduced to me. It’s a good thing that Hadjii shared with us the method he developed. It means he trusts the Meetup group with the knowledge that he shared with us. That we will all use it for the benefit of others and the massage community. Thanks Hadjii for sharing! I agree!<br />
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2. Engr. Rolando Alagde’s lecture and videos were stimulating to our thoughts. It is touching to know that our fellow “inno-preneur” even took the half day off away from his class (nag absent si sir Rollie sa AIM) because he wants to share his knowledge and wisdom with the crowd. Without anything in return- but our prayers and gratitude. We are so blessed to have a great and giving friend like Sir Rollie. There will come a time when we can get more and more sponsors so we can provide more than “love gifts” to high-caliber lecturers like Rngr. Rollie. In the area of business and entrepreneurship, I learned that we should be having fun as well. If we are not having fun-- sooner or later we will burn out and stop what we are doing. It doesn’t matter if its work, studies, business and whatever we do- we should have fun and get excited every time, otherwise the fruits of our labor will be of no use. Actually with some of what he said, he already sold what the Biz Wiz group is about to do. As with anything, everything should be a balance between sustainability in business economics and having the passion for what you do. Sometimes, I would ask myself of people I hear who can’t wait to retire, “why do you want to retire if you love what you are doing?” Look at one of the video he shared with us below: <br />
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<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jf3NyBthzr4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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In the video above, 66% took the stairs even if its more difficult to do, this is what I mean by “simple fun with a simple choir”, if we were to analyze, of course it doesn’t make sense to take the stairs if you could take the escalator- BUT- if we could make any difficult choir and turn it to a more fun experience- then you have a market. <br />
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Reflecting more about it in our everyday lives, the fun theory seems to show that humans are deletion creatures. We delete almost everything that we do not consider important or vital at one specific point. Why? because our brain cannot focus on so many things at one particular time. If we delete the difficulty of walking the stairs and instead replace it by an activity that would complement the difficulty and by making it fun to do then we have deleted the difficult part and replaced it with the fun part. If we tend to gear our attitude toward what brings us feelings of being happy, content, excited and passionate about life, then that is what we will find. It’s easy as walking the stairs!<br />
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To take this a little further, when you are having fun with your profession, with your work, with your life- it’s easier to get up it the morning, it’s easier to smile, it’s easier to give, it’s easier to close a sale, it’s easier to make friends, it’s easier to make sales and its easier to close a deal and its easier to make money. On the other hand, it’s hard for people to make you angry, unhappy or upset. So when you see someone who is always upset, angry or easy to get in an angry mood- expect that the person needs some understanding, expect that that person is in a state of either boredom or burn out- so we have to be more understanding, we have to be more forgiving of each other’s states of mind. Life is short we should not sweat the small stuff but enjoy! <br />
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3. On Ms. Angel Laparan’s lecture, she told us that it’s even harder today to deploy nurses but the deployment of spa and workers in the massage/spa industry is still on-going. Most of the time, one does not even need to be licensed or certified because it all depends on the employer. Of course, certifications do help a lot especially if the employers choose to work with only those who have had medical related backgrounds- but not all the time. I also shared that in my experience, certifications and licenses help only if you are targeting management and executive positions. She has also told the audience a lot about my experience working as a spa manager and spa director in EU. I think there are a lot of opportunities only if we know where to look and whom to get in touch with. I myself, have to turn down a lot of offers abroad because of inconsistencies and restrictive employment contracts. Although the spa, massage therapy and wellness industry has lots of “gray areas” as a profession, we are slowly gaining our ground towards a more collaborative and professional world. One of the things she also touched on was about how one should prepare for a job overseas interview and how important it is for applicants to be able to express them selves in spoken English. Prospective applicants should not be high-nosed and realize earlier on to accept working with a multi-cultural staff. I believe that there should be unity in diversity. I will give you one secret that employers look for. Most of the time, when I sit down with an employer and they would hire me to interview their applicants, it doesn’t hurt to look at the credentials but…the big but is we give more priority to the attitude and character of a person rather than the accomplishments, the experience and the credentials. I would always choose someone who is likeable, able to learn and be taught rather than someone who thinks they know it all. As a consultant, each and every time that the employers and I are faced with the dilemma of selecting only one from a lot of applicants and those who passed the interviews, we would always choose someone whom we see is likeable and a team-player. In very far flung countries, we would always choose someone who works with the team NOT against the team. I sit down with employers, deliberate who among the candidates are fit for the post and the true consensus is- they do not need credentials if you have a bad attitude. Period.<br />
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4. What I learned from the Biz Wiz group: I have already discussed this in my previous blog last year in November. Why do you think I invited them over if I was not impressed? But even before Biz Wiz was ever Biz Wiz – I already knew Jason Estimado who was a part of Meetup since 2007. He attends and even lectures about anti-aging and beauty. Here is the link to this blog post that I have written. http://www.yunesa.com/2010/11/same-old-spa-massage-clinic-and.html<br />
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II.<br />
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5. General lessons: First, I learned from the brilliant Seth Godin that Autarky is dead. As he pointed out in one of his latest blog posts, “Self sufficiency appears to be a worthy goal, but it's now impossible if you want to actually get anything done. All our productivity, leverage and insight come from being part of a community, not apart from it. The goal, I think, is to figure out how to become more dependent with each other, not less.” And what does it have to do with Meetup? We are all dependent on each other. The sponsors, the attendees- and the organizers are crucial to the event, we wouldn’t have made each event better than the other without the help of the sponsors and the participants. Thanks also to the generosity of James who traveled all the way from Subic to Ortigas, who gave a sample of skin white and beauty products he sells and to Ed Rivera who is into native and local accessories like bags and home furnishings. With every Meetup we also get to know everyone's business so if we need something or a particular service or product, we know whom to get in touch with. Thank you for depending on Meetup and thanks to all those who traveled far just to meet us and for everyone who shared their time and prioritized Meetup. I might not be able to write all your names here in this blog post but - my prayers are all with you. Thank you for the openness, time and friendship. <br />
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6. “Familiarity breeds respect” as the brilliant Seth Godin wrote in one of his latest blogs, Over the six year period, I have been friends with hundreds of great and gifted souls. I also think that one of the big reasons why Meetup has been successful and strong when it comes to relationships since its inception more than 6 years ago, is that people at Meetup serve each other. As Bo Sanchez points out, “If you find a great organization that has not found a way to serve each other (sad but true) that organization will experience divisions because everyone will be looking at his or her personal agenda and interests”. It is in our good fortune that we tend to repel those types of people because Meetup was not designed for that. Everything and everyone must serve a good purpose with each own talents, uniqueness and capability to complement each other. Meetup doesn’t look at itself as just an organization but a support system that doesn’t worry about protocol. We hope to fill the need for identity, connection and relationships. It was and will never be about “what’s in it for our personal agenda but what’s in it for us to give to others”. Kaya pag lumabas ka ng Meetup na parang ubas, pag uwi mo hawaan mo ng pagiging ubas ang mga pasas. Kung malaki naman silang tao- maaaring prunes na yun. To my English readers, if you ever walk out of a Meetup looking like grapes then when you get home, you have to induce the excitement of being a grape to others who are already dried like raisins and if they are tall, then they are like prunes which you have to water. (wink) In other words, we all need each other, the success of one is the success of the whole- and the failure of one is the failure of all. We should find a way to enrich that relationship- and never to destroy it. Over time, as Seth writes, “you don't just come to trust valued colleagues like these, they also earn respect. Once you understand someone's sensibilities and goals, it's natural to see the world through their eyes and to embrace their motives and tactics. Once you've seen their work under pressure and in quieter moments, you get a sense for what they believe in. In a world of quick projects and short engagements, this sort of relationship is priceless”. I am blessed because I have found such people at Meetup.<br />
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7. Focus- as said earlier, we are deletion creatures, we should focus- focus on what? Focus more on what is good, better or best on a person, expect the best with a person, we should focus what makes us feel beautiful inside and out, focus on larger than life experiences, focus on the better things in life rather than those experience which has brought us pain, hurt or disgust. In Shakespeare’s “the Merchant of Venice”, there was a man named Shylock who was very wise but he was cruel. He said, “would you allow the same serpent to sting you twice?” Of course, we should never allow the same serpent to sting us twice. But we should never become cynical. Hindi komo may gumawa sa atin ng mali, pagdidiskitahan din natin ang lahat ng maaring gumawa din ng mali. You do not sink the ship to kill the rats. Learn to trust people. Actually, in life, very few people will hurt us or cause us pain, most are still basically kind. But people who don’t trust and don’t open themselves to other people’s goodness and kindness put walls between them and the world. They in turn imprison themselves in the process. Hindi komo may isang taong nandaya at nanakit sa atin ay lahat na ng tao ay ganun. Learn to trust again. Live life again, love again, give again- although a bit wiser the second time around. Tandaan lang natin na ang isang tao na sobrang wise ay hindi nag e-enjoy sa buhay. One way to enjoy life is to open our self up to people and focus on the better part of life rather than our previous hurts. <br />
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8. Energy- is infectious. Need I say more? We have forgotten a lot of things to give and say before our time was up just because we were all “hyped-up”. Hopefully, it will give a good vibes and ripple of effect to our beloved “Meetup-ers”. Thanks and God bless you more! Until next Business / Entrepreneurship, Spa and Wellness and Massage Therapy Meetup! Hats off to all of you!<br />
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<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/q7Nl-Ij_zYo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>yunesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05708369387553951067noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935145258258915433.post-14916718161175492062011-01-25T07:53:00.000+00:002011-01-25T07:53:12.415+00:00The Bike and the MoneyOne summer day when biking, skating and tumbang preso were major past times for me and my sister, we would roam around Cataluna street which is very near the vicinity of the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) in Sampaloc, Manila. I was just 10 years old at that time and my aunt asked me if I wanted to ride the bike with her. My aunt that time was a college student taking up nursing and I was just a willing niece who loves to play instead of sleep in the afternoon. (Sorry mom, we hate siesta that time) So, there I was sitting behind her back as she was pedaling going to UST but as the bike strolled around the streets, my right leg got caught inside the spokes of the bike. I nearly shouted because it was very painful BUT I did not. Normally, as a kid, you would heller out at the top of your lungs but I was so ashamed, so timid or embarrassed (to say the least) to complain or even to tell her. The wounds are now getting very very painful and blood are now gushing out but I never said a word. I never complained. I never asked her to stop. After what seems to me like a long and winding tribulation- she stopped pedaling. Hay salamat….to my relief. And when she asked me to climb down the bike she was shocked that I have blood all over my feet and she panicked and told me….”Ohhh Eunice, what happened? Why didn’t you tell me?”. I was just crying and crying and all I could tell her was “nahihiya po ako eh”….(I am just so ashamed to tell you) but I never knew why I was like that until I was an adult.<br />
<br />
Fast forward to my future, late 1990’s, I was 28 years old at the time (got a hint on my age?) and just got accepted to work in a big time share company at that time in Makati. During those times, timesharing was unknown in the world of vacations, travel and leisure here in the Philippines. One of our British sales directors told us during a brief meeting that one of the main reasons why people don’t sell, don’t earn money to the highest possible degree that they could have- is that they think lowly of themselves. I had the mentality that if I was getting paid- I was bought at a price. That is, if I am getting paid, my soul one way or the other is being bought, or I view myself less holy and less Godly. From then on, I realized that when someone buys from me and gives us money for payment or gives me financial blessing, that person is not just buying from me- I am giving that person a solution to a problem. I realized that I should not think that being given money is dirty, deameaning and lowly otherwise working will be dirty too. When someone even asks me before how much they owe me for the work I have done, I would tell them "bahala ka na". It's up to you. That is what my “lizard” brain (as the brilliant Seth Godin calls it) has imbedded in its system. I thought I was never worthy of being heard or being listened to. Or being paid for my services. Or being consulted. I thought I was unworthy of having money. That having money is somewhat dirty and unbecoming of a true Christian. I was wrong. I was really really wrong. At work, I continued to enjoy and spoke enthusiastically with all my clients and by God’s grace, I ended up as the second top sales person for the year. I was stunned because I never considered myself as a salesperson much more being able to sell. Hey! I had a medical background not a marketing one. But it happened because every time I work, I always see to it that I am always doing something that I love, I love to go to work and hate my days off and I love being with people, advising people if this is the right product for them or not, I always see people as a family not as a buyer or someone whom I can extract money from. Heck! I even love my bosses! Even if there are times when people are tough, they loosen up because they knew and they can feel that my concern is genuine and I will not give them something they will not use and benefit from. I saw myself as a solution provider. That was the start of my journey towards money and how I view it today.<br />
<br />
Dear Fried, I hope you would start to see yourself as a receiver and a giver too, when we start receiving and earning money, it is time to give more to others. Do not wait until you become a millionnaire. Teach your brain to give with whatever you can afford. Because when you give money, money comes back to you in two-fold, three-fold and four-fold. Do not ask what someone can give to you but what you could give first. Blessings come from many directions and it comes not only as a monetary gift but through our health, our relationships and our feelings (peace of mind, joy, delight, etc.). Generally, people who are in business or in a profession (except the drug lords and other illegal trades, etc.)- are providing something that the world needs and if you think you are not- then it’s time to move on to something else. Today, I hope you will see yourself from both perspectives: a solution provider and as a giver- because you really are.<br />
<br />
God speed!<br />
<br />
Euniceyunesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05708369387553951067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935145258258915433.post-85111230034547088912011-01-16T12:31:00.011+00:002011-01-18T13:52:35.537+00:00Your JobYour Job<br />
<br />
<br />
In my book, the Spa, Massage Therapy and Wellness Resource Book and Career Guide, I wrote all about job descriptions in the area of spa, massage therapy, beauty and wellness. While I wrote about what makes a good massage therapist, I should have written also what makes a great massage therapist. So what makes a great massage therapist? Here are a few:<br />
<br />
A good massage therapist implements government rules and regulationss<br />
A great massage therapist implements more than rules but according to highest standards and including personal ethics in the profession.<br />
<br />
<br />
A good massage therapist must be able to develop good rapport with clients.<br />
A great massage therapist treats clients not only as a cash cow but a family to take care of.<br />
<br />
A good massage therapist’s primary responsibility will include providing massage therapy tailored for individual clients.<br />
A great massage therapist’s primary responsibility should not only provide massage therapy tailored for individual clients but sees to it that they are providing relief from stress and muscle tension.<br />
<br />
A good massage therapist has great hands.<br />
A great massage therapist has a loving character and great hands.<br />
<br />
A good spa owner gives salary to their staff.<br />
A great spa owner gives salary, benefits and provides a healthy workplace for everyone where everyone gets to enjoy working.<br />
<br />
In reflection, our job in life is to know our purpose by our strengths, where we are good at, where our talent resides and hone them. Our job is to make use of that strength for blessing others. Yesterday, Dean Pax Lapid (the Author of Negosyo 21 Steps on How to Start Your Own Business) told us that we have to master our self first before aspiring to go into business. Our passion should be where our business is. I guess that is why a lot of people hop from one job to the next, they hop from one career to the next because they haven’t found their rainbow- what makes them tick. What makes a person excited everyday to go to work on something or for someone is the passion behind. Not everybody is born a massage therapist, a spa therapist or a spa, massage clinic or wellness center owner. Not everyone is born an entrepreneur or a business person. But everyone is born with a gift. I have a relative (whose name I will not divulge because it might be hazardous to my health), he graduated with high honors from one of the prestigious universities in the Philippines and yet, he jumps from one career to the next. He hopes the next job will satisfy his wanting and his desire for a fulfilled life. I believe there are four types of people on Earth:<br />
<br />
<br />
The "sorrowful" because they have not found and do not know their purpose in life.<br />
The "mediocre" who know their purpose in life but do not work on it everyday.<br />
The "missing out" who know their life’s purpose but do not work on it everyday<br />
The "blessed" who know their life’s purpose and work on it daily to bless others more.<br />
<br />
So, which among the four do you belong and how will you jump from one stage to the next? First, you have to answer these self- inventory questions:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Question #1: What do you love and enjoy doing? (Even if you are not getting paid for it at the moment, you will still do the best of your ability to do this wholeheartedly, san ka hiyang? does the path you are traveling capture your heart?)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Question #2: What area of your life do you excel? (What do close people say that you are good at? What are you inherently good at? What do you have a talent for?)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Come on. As Ping Sotto (also the Author of 21 Steps on How to Start Your Own Business) told us last week, we are all brought into this world with something. Hindi puwedeng wala. I believe God gave each of us a gift. Our job is to find it and cultivate it and follow our own rainbows. Not the path of others. Not the calling of others. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">On a scale of 1 to 100, here is my inventory of gifts:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;">Technical aspects of computer technology: 60%</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;">I never liked thinking about mechanics or how a machine works. I never liked driving so As much as possible, I employ a driver. I would rather commute than drive. Need I say more? I like clicking on the computer but, ngunit, subalit, datapwat, bagamat- when I have any trouble with my netbook and laptop- I learned to fix anything with just one tool: the telephone or my mobile phone (hehehe). </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;">Numbers and Mathematics: 70%</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;">Ewww…..I would run away if you would tell me what is the sum of 2 + 2? Hehe…. I have finished college without having to memorize 8 X 7. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="color: black;"> Wait…I have to get my calculator. That is why I took up medical technology and emergency medical technology to avoid numbers. My strength lies in memorizing concepts rather than details especially numerical details. I am good with English though and I think I have a knack for writing. Thus, this blog (wink). I need to work more on this. Slowly, I am getting to love accounting especially in my finances. But I still need to improve on this.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Cooking and household work: 80%</div><div class="MsoNormal">Cooking for me is okay but baking? Nah! I am not fond of sweets or anything sweet. Unlike most, I am not a fan of chocolates. Sorry chocolate lovers.....if given a choice, I would rather choose flowers rather than chocolates but Filipinos are generally chocolate lovers. I love to cook because I love to eat. I can cook vegetables and pasta or noodles. I can cook tasty meals (or so they say.). I can cook for family and friends but I cannot cook for a living- that I am sure of. I love cleaning but behind my mind, I would rather work on stuff that only I can do and delegate this to the maid. But then again, its one form of exercise on my part.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Writing: 85%</div><div class="MsoNormal">Although I love to write, I do not always have the luxury of time to sit down and gather my thoughts. A blog normally gets to be written anywhere from a day to more than 3 days before I post it. I have numerous ideas to share but I need to hone my skills in terms of expressing myself clearly. But I am thankful for the thousands who have, through the years have read and have been helped by my articles online. I am grateful to God for that. But then again, I still need to hone this talent. In writing I would say also that my spelling and grammar is way below 85%- maybe 80%.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Learning and teaching: 90%</div><div class="MsoNormal">I love reading. My library at home keeps getting bigger and bigger. I believe in life long learning. I love learning and attending seminars, conventions, trade fairs, workshops, etc. Having to travel all the way from the Philippines to other countries because I believe it’s one way for us to grow. I love to share what I know. I have even started having to give a lot of FREE seminars before (only about my field though). Until I realized that I can earn from it. Now I am trying to renew my mindset. I believe that our talents are also a way for us to be financially free. I am not a trainer, I am a teacher. A trainer focuses on skills while a teacher focuses on the application of theories and knowledge. I am very blessed because I have learned from the best.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Managing people and leadership: 83%</div><div class="MsoNormal">I need help on this too because I tend to be too friendly and too trusting. I need to realize that at times, it is better to act like you are the boss rather than if you are “just one of the staff”. I have to improve on my leadership skills. As my Myer’s Briggs Test shows: </div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black;">ENFJ</span></b><span style="color: black;"> - "Persuader". Outstanding leader of groups. Can be aggressive at helping others to be the best that they can be. 2.5% of total population.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;">You can take your FREE Myer’s Briggs test on this blog. Just scroll down to the right lower hand portion of this blog. You can click on that link.<br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;">Business and Entrepreneurship: 80%</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;">I need to know more about how a business works within my sphere of passion. I need to know whether I am on the gaining aspect or losing aspect as people also tend to ask me too much favors which I am having a hard time saying "no" to. I found a solution and I am grateful for my PA (Personal Assistant), Cecile. I need to be reminded that I need to be paid for my services and she does that for me. I need to learn so much more.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;">Upon finishing your inventory, separate the items where you excel best and pray that God will guide you. You can also share it with someone who knows you best and who will support you in your endeavor. Find and join a support group too. Like Meetup (wink again). </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;">I believe that you are here to bloom in wherever we are planted so use your talents and skills to achieve your life’s fullest potential.<br />
If I may add an email shared to me by Ted:<br />
<br />
IF I WORSHIP...<br />
Money.. I become greedy<br />
Power... I become controlling<br />
Sex... I become lustful<br />
Myself...I become selfish<br />
Drugs/alcohol...I become depressed<br />
Work...I become workaholic<br />
People...I become codependent<br />
Church activities... I become religious<br />
GOD.. I BECOME WHAT I WAS CREATED FOR!<br />
<br />
Do you really want to achieve your highest potential? Start within. Next week, will talk about money and finances....<br />
<br />
Love the thing you do and you will do better and bigger things!<br />
<br />
Live your life to the fullest! Live with purpose!<br />
<br />
<br />
<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/q7Nl-Ij_zYo?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/q7Nl-Ij_zYo?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>yunesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05708369387553951067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935145258258915433.post-16997938746568828422011-01-09T11:46:00.005+00:002011-01-11T06:07:09.953+00:00One Thing You Could Do Everyday to Increase the Quality of Your Spa, Massage Clinic, Wellness Center Operations<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">One thing that you could do everyday to increase the quality of your Spa, Massage Clinic and Wellness Center Business and Profession</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The one thing that you can easily start and finish everyday to increase the quality of your business, your work, your profession especially in the spa, massage clinic and wellness center business is that everyday focus on things that you are most grateful for and think of ways how to thank your clients, staff and colleagues. You say it warmly, graciously, sincerely and specifically.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
I will list down below ways on how you could do that:</div><ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal">Send a quick email thanking your clients for the business they bring into your doors and your staff on the great job they did for the years that they have been with you.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Acknowledge any email from those whom you know personally, even if the email only contains Thank you.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Send an e-card and say thank you in many dialects of the Philippines:</li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">English Thank you very (so) much</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">Tagalog Maraming salamat</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">Kapampangan Dakal a Salamat<br />
Hiligaynon Madamu nga salamat<br />
Cebuano Daghang Salamat</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">Ilocano Agyamanak</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">Chabacano (Zamboanga City) Gracias<br />
Yakan (Basilan) Megsukul teed<br />
Tausug (Sulu) Magsukol</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">Waray Salamat</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">Ilonggo Salamat</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Gaddang (Kalingga Apayao) </span></b>Mabbalat </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Ibanag /Ybanag (Cagayan/Tuguegarao) </span></b>Mabbalo’ </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Itawis </span></b>Mabbalat </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Ivatan </span></b>Dius mamahes </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Pangasinense</span></b> Salamat<br />
Bicolano Salamat na marhay<br />
Iloko Pagyamanan unay (some version)<br />
Samar-Leyte Damu nga salamat<br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">Although there more than 120 to 170 dialects of the Philippines (depending on how you classify them), I hope I got it all right. If not, and you know the right terminology, please email me.Thanks to Stephen Santos for the additions.)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><br />
</div><ol start="4" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal">Send a small token of appreciation: a post card perhaps (?) (I got this idea from one of my millionaire friend and a good friend Joey Magtibay) to those people who has helped you in your business and in your life as a whole.</li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><br />
</div><ol start="5" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal">Send a poem, a quote and the person’s relevance to your business.</li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1in;">Example: We are grateful to be of service to you and want to say thanks again for visiting our or my (spa, massage clinic or wellness center). Rest assured that we will always take care of your spa-mpering needs. Call us anytime!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1in;"> Thank you for choosing _______ (name of your business) and being part of our (service/product/spa) launching. We hope you would return soon, we would be happy to serve you again.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: -1in;"> Thank you for spending you spa-rty here. We hope we exceeded your expectations and we look forward to be of service to you now and in every occasion you choose. Please do not hesitate to let us know about how we can serve you.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><ol start="6" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal">Since Filipinos love to text, then send a text message and say thank you as above.</li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal">Now it’s your turn. Send an email, jot a note, write a card. Be grateful and show it. Make someone feel valued. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you as well. Let gratitude multiply and spread!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">See the two videos below to increase the probability of being more grateful everyday:</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/H8ZuKF3dxCY?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/H8ZuKF3dxCY?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6rPFvLUWkzs?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6rPFvLUWkzs?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Live with Gratitude!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/q7Nl-Ij_zYo?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/q7Nl-Ij_zYo?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>yunesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05708369387553951067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935145258258915433.post-80144032722239585572011-01-01T06:50:00.001+00:002011-01-01T06:54:09.148+00:002011 Jokes and Laughter Therapy for a start....<div style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2011 Jokes for a Start</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxxbWxcCEY3_naTpsZiNHQtyTmCftnIcABGvMAKv-Ta9g7nsPU1ufb5czN2HAkZ4hPUu0xPUwwqoUHCjzaIMQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">To start a year with smile and fun, I would like to share with you some jokes (during the past years) that were emailed to me, shared to me, sent to me or found online:</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Have a blessed New Year to one and all!!</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">JOKES AND HUMOR</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>THE WEAKEST LINK" PINOY-STYLE<br />
</b><br />
<br />
Host: What "N" (narra) is the national tree of the Philippines? <br />
<br />
Contestant: Niyog? <br />
<br />
Host: Mas matigas pa diyan. <br />
<br />
Contestant: (in a strong-sounding voice) NIYOG!!! <br />
<br />
-----<br />
<br />
Host: Saan "B" (Bagumbayan) binaril si Jose Rizal? <br />
<br />
Contestant: Sa back? <br />
<br />
Host: O sige, puwede rin na ang simula ay letter "L" (Luneta). <br />
<br />
Contestant: Likod? <br />
<br />
Host: Hindi pa rin. Para mas madali, "R.P." ang initials ng modern <br />
name nito (Rizal Park). <br />
<br />
Contestant: Rear Part? (Susme! Likod pa rin yun!) <br />
<br />
<br />
-------<br />
<br />
Host: Anong "L" (Lifeguard) ang tawag sa tao na sumasagip sa iyo pag ikaw ay nalulunod? <br />
<br />
Contestant: Lifebuoy? <br />
<br />
Host: Hindi, pero kahawig nga ng pangalan ng sabon ang pangalan ng <br />
taong ito. <br />
<br />
Contestant : Safeguard? <br />
<br />
Host: Hindi, pagsamahin mo yung dalawang sagot mo. <br />
<br />
Contestant: Safe Buoy? <br />
<br />
Host: Hindi siya "boy" at matipuno nga ang kaniyang katawan. <br />
<br />
Contestant: Oh, si Mr.Clean! <br />
<br />
--------------------------------------<br />
<br />
Host: Anong "S" (Salbabida) ang ginagamit na flotation device sa dagat upang hindi ka malunod? <br />
<br />
Contestant: Sirena? <br />
<br />
Host: Hindi! Hindi ito babae. <br />
<br />
Contestant: Siyokoy? <br />
<br />
Host: Hindi ito lalake. <br />
<br />
Contestant: Siyoke? <br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">-------------------------<br />
<br />
Host: What "S" (Sampaguita) is the national flower of the Philippines? <br />
<br />
Contestant: Sunflower? <br />
<br />
Host: Hindi. Binebenta ito sa kalye. <br />
<br />
Contestant: Stork? <br />
<br />
Host: Hindi. Bulaklak sabi eh. <br />
<br />
Contestant: Sitsarong bulaklak? <br />
<br />
Host: Hindi pa rin. It ends with a letter "A". <br />
<br />
Contestant: Sitsarong bulaklak na may sukA? <br />
<br />
Host: Oh, para madali, uulitin ko ang clues at dadagdagan ko pa! Ano ang pangalan ng bulaklak na nagsisimula sa "S", nagtata! ! pos sa letrang "A", at kapangalan ng isang sikat na singer? <br />
<br />
Contestant: Si...Sharon CunetA! <br />
----------------------------------------</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
Host: Sino ang national hero na naka-picture sa 500Peso bill? <span lang="PT-BR">Clue: may initials na N.A. (Ninoy Aquino) <br />
<br />
Contestant: N-ora A-unor? <br />
<br />
</span>Host: Hindi. Ang pangalan niya ay nage-end sa "Y". <br />
<br />
Contestant: GuY Aunor? <br />
<br />
Host: Hindi. Dati siyang Senador. <br />
<br />
Contestant: Si Former Senator Guy Aunor? <br />
<br />
<span lang="PT-BR">Host: Hindi. Patay na siya. <br />
<br />
Contestant: ANO??!! PATAY NA SI NORA AUNOR???!!!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="PT-BR">-------------------------------------------- </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Old Chinese in death bed: <br />
"Akyen junior 'ndyan ba?" <br />
<span lang="IT">"Dito po!" <br />
<br />
"Akyen panganay 'ndyan ba?" <br />
"Dito po!" <br />
<br />
"Akyen daughtel 'ndyan ba?" <br />
"Dito po!" <br />
<br />
"Akyen asawa 'ndyan ba?" <br />
</span>"Dito din honey!" <br />
<br />
"Walahiya! Dito kayo lahat! Wala tao tindahan!" <img alt=":P" height="15" src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtml1/01/clip_image002.gif" width="15" /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ito na lang ang bilhin mo signatures na signatures ang dating. <br />
<br />
CK--------Cavite Kamiseta.<br />
YSL-------Yari Sa Laguna.<br />
UCB-------Under the Coconut tree in Baclaran. <br />
DKNY------Divisoria Kanto Ng Ylaya.<br />
<br />
At pag suot mo tong mga to pre, pang GQ model ang dating mo sa magazines:<br />
GQ------ Galing Quiapo ----------</span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As we get older, <br />
<br />
we are richer<br />
Silver hair<br />
Gold tooth<br />
Stones in kidney<br />
Oil in pace<br />
Gas in tian<br />
Careful daw at baka makidnap!<br />
<br />
<br />
Chinese names for those born during new year<br />
<br />
At Midnight Andy Lim<br />
At Wedlock Tina Go<br />
By Swindler Lino Co<br />
Fat Boy Bob Uy<br />
Different Eva Yan</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>A Rhose, by Any Other Name</b><br />
By Matthew Sutherland<br />
<br />
"A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches" --(Proverbs 22:1)<br />
<br />
WHEN I arrived in the Philippines from the UK six years ago, one of the first cultural differences to strike me was names. The subject has provided a continuing source of amazement and amusement ever since. <br />
<br />
The first unusual thing, from an English perspective, is that everyone here has a nickname. In the staid and boring United Kingdom, we have nicknames in kindergarten, but when we move into adulthood we tend, I am glad to say, to lose them. <br />
<br />
The second thing that struck me is that Philippine names for both girls and boys tend to be what we in the UK would regard as overbearingly cutesyfor anyone over about five. "Fifty-five-year-olds with names that sound like five-year-olds", as one colleague put it. Where I come from, a boy with a nickname like Boy Blue or Honey Boy would be beaten to death at school by pre-adolescent bullies, and never make it to adulthood. So, probably, would girls with names like Babes, Lovely, Precious, Peachy or Apples. Yuk, ech ech. Here, however, no one bats an eyelid. <br />
<br />
Then I noticed how many people have what I have come to call "door-bell names". These are nicknames that sound like - well, door-bells. There are millions of them. Bing, Bong, Ding, and Dong are some of the more common. They can be, and frequently are, used in even more door-bell-like combinations such as Bing-Bong, Ding-Dong, Ting-Ting, and so on. Even our newly-appointed chief of police has a doorbell name - Ping. None of these door-bell names exist where I come from, and hence sound unusually amusing to my untutored foreign ear. Someone once told me that one of the Bings, when asked why he was called Bing, replied "because my brother is called Bong". Faultless logic. Dong, of course, is a particularly funny one for me, as where I come from "dong" is a slang word for... well, perhaps "talong" is the best Tagalog equivalent.<br />
<br />
Repeating names was another novelty to me, having never before encountered people with names like Len-Len, Let-Let,Mai-Mai, or Ning-Ning. The secretary I inherited on my arrival had an unusual one: Leck-Leck. Such names are then frequently further refined by using the "squared" symbol, as in Len2 or Mai2. This had me very confused for a while.<br />
<br />
Then there is the trend for parents to stick to a theme when naming their children. This can be as simple as making them all begin with the same letter, as in Jun, Jimmy, Janice, and Joy. More imaginative parents shoot for more sophisticated forms of assonance or rhyme, as in Biboy,Boboy, Buboy, Baboy (notice the names get worse the more kids there are -- best to be born early or you could end up being a Baboy).<br />
<br />
Even better, parents can create whole families of, say, desserts (Apple Pie, Cherry Pie, Honey Pie) or flowers (Rose, Daffodil, Tulip). The main advantage of such combinations is that they look great painted across your trunk if you're a cab driver.<br />
<br />
That's another thing I'd never seen before coming to Manila - taxis with the driver's kids' names on the trunk. <br />
<br />
Another whole eye-opening field for the foreign visitor is the phenomenon of the "composite" name. This includes names like Jejomar (for Jesus, Joseph and Mary), and the remarkable Luzviminda (for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, believe it or not). That's a bit like me being called something like "Engscowani" (for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland).<br />
<br />
Between you and me, I'm glad I'm not. <br />
<br />
And how could I forget to mention the fabulous concept of the randomly-inserted letter 'h'. Quite what this device is supposed to achieve, I have not yet figured out, but I think it is designed to give a touch of class to an otherwise only averagely weird name. It results in creations like Jhun, Lhenn, Ghemma, and Jhimmy. Or how about Jhun-Jhun (Jhun2)?<br />
<br />
There is also a whole separate field of name games -- those where the parents have exhibited a creative sense of humor on purpose. I once had my house in London painted by a Czechoslovakian decorator by the name of Peter Peter. I could never figure out if his parents had a fantastic sense of humor or no imagination at all -- it had to be one or the other. But here in the Philippines, wonderful imagination and humor is often applied to the naming process, particularly, it seems, in the Chinese community. My favourites include Bach Johann Sebastian; Edgar Allan Pe; Jonathan Livingston Sy; Magic Chiongson, Chica Go, and my girlfriend's very own sister, Van Go. I am assured these are real people, although I've only met two of them. I hope they don't mind being mentioned here.<br />
<br />
How boring to come from a country like the UK full of people with names like John Smith. How wonderful to come from a country where imagination and exoticism rule the world of names. Even the towns here have weird names; my favorite is the unbelieveably-named town of Sexmoan (ironically close to Olongapo and Angeles).<br />
<br />
Where else in the world could that really be true? Where else in the world could the head of the Church really be called Cardinal Sin? Where else in the world could Angel, Gigi and Mandy be grown-up men? Where else could you go through adultlife unembarrassed and unassailed with a name like Mosquito, or Pepper, or Honey Boy? <br />
<br />
Where else but the Philippines! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">English Translations of Filipino Names</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>NEW!</b> Remigio Batungbacal<br />
Remington Steel</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>NEW! </b>Bienvenido Jurado<br />
Ben Hur</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>NEW! </b>Federico Hagibis<br />
Federal Express</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Eleoterio Ignacio<br />
Electronic Ignition<br />
<br />
Casimiro Bukaykay<br />
Cashmir Bouquet<br />
<br />
Rogelio Dagdag<br />
Roger Moore<br />
<br />
Topacio Mamaril<br />
Top Gun<br />
<br />
Restituto Pruto<br />
Tutti Frutti<br />
<br />
Samuel Tampipi<br />
Sam Sonite<br />
<br />
Veneracion De Asis<br />
Venereal Disease<br />
<br />
Francisco Portero<br />
Frank Furter<br />
<br />
Diosdado Durante<br />
Deo Dorant</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="joketext1">A man dies and goes to heaven. St. Peter meets him at the pearly gates. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="joketext1">St. Peter says, "Here's how it works. You need 100 points to make it into heaven. You tell me all the good things you've done, and I give you a certain number of points for each item, depending on how good it was. When you reach 100 points, you get in." </span><br />
<br />
<span class="joketext1">"Okay" the man says, "I attended church every Sunday" </span><br />
<span class="joketext1">"That's good, says St. Peter, " that's worth two points" </span><br />
<br />
<span class="joketext1">"Two points?" he says. "Well, I gave 10% of all my earnings to the church" </span><br />
<span class="joketext1">"Well, let's see," answers Peter, "that's worth another 2 points. Did you do anything else?" </span><br />
<br />
<span class="joketext1">"Two points? Golly. How about this: I started a soup kitchen in my city and worked in a shelter for homeless veterans." </span><br />
<span class="joketext1">"Fantastic, that's certainly worth a point, " he says. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="joketext1">"hmmm...," the man says, "I was married to the same woman for 50 years and never cheated on her, even in my heart." </span><br />
<span class="joketext1">"That's wonderful," says St. Peter, "that's worth three points!" </span><br />
<br />
<span class="joketext1">"THREE POINTS!!" the man cries, "At this rate the only way I get into heaven is by the grace of God!" </span><br />
<br />
<span class="joketext1">"Come on in!"</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="joketext1"> ----------------------------------------------------------</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There once was a rich man who was near death. He was very grieved because he had worked so hard for his money and he wanted to be able to take it with him to heaven. So he began to pray that he might be able to take some of his wealth with him. <br />
<br />
An angel hears his plea and appears to him. "Sorry, but you can't <br />
take your wealth with you." The man implores the angel to speak to God to see if He might bend the rules. <br />
<br />
The man continues to pray that his wealth could follow him. The angel reappears and informs the man that God has decided to allow him to take one suitcase with him. Overjoyed, the man gathers his largest suitcase and fills it with pure gold bars and places it beside his bed. <br />
<br />
Soon afterward the man dies and shows up at the Gates of Heaven to <br />
greet St. Peter. St. Peter seeing the suitcase says, "Hold on, you <br />
can't bring that in here!" <br />
<br />
But, the man explains to St. Peter that he has permission and asks him to verify his story with the Lord. Sure enough, St. Peter checks and comes back saying, "You're right. You are allowed one carry-on bag, but I'm supposed to check its contents before letting it through." <br />
<br />
St. Peter opens the suitcase to inspect the worldly items that the man found too precious to leave behind and exclaims, "You brought <br />
pavement?!!!"</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> -----------------------------------------------------------------------</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">One day while walking down the street a highly successful executive woman was tragically hit by a bus and she died. Her soul arrived up in heaven where she was met at the Pearly Gates by St. Peter himself. "Welcome to Heaven," said St.Peter. "Before you get settled in though, it seems we have a problem. You see, strangely enough, we've never once had an executive make it this far and we're not really sure what to do with you." <br />
<br />
"No problem, just let me in." said the woman. <br />
<br />
"Well, I'd like to, but I have higher orders. What we're going to do is let you have a day in Hell and a day in Heaven and then you can choose whichever one you want to spend an eternity in." <br />
<br />
"Actually, I think I've made up my mind...I prefer to stay in Heaven", said the woman. <br />
<br />
"Sorry, we have rules..." And with that St. Peter put the executive in an elevator and it went down-down-down to hell. The doors opened and she found herself stepping out onto the putting green of a beautiful golf course. In the distance was a country club and standing in front of her were all her friends - fellow executives that she had worked with and they were all dressed in evening gowns and cheering for her. They ran up and kissed her on both cheeks and they talked about old times. They played an excellent round of golf and at night went to the country club where she enjoyed an excellent steak and lobster dinner. She met the Devil who was actually a really nice guy (kinda cute) and she had a great time telling jokes and dancing. She was having such a good time that before she knew it, it was time to leave. Everybody shook her hand and waved good- bye as she got on the elevator. The elevator went up-up-up and opened back up at the Pearly Gates and found St. Peter waiting for her. "Now it's time to spend a day in heaven," he said. <br />
<br />
So she spent the next 24 hours lounging around on clouds and <br />
playing the harp and singing. She had a great time and before she knew it her 24 hours were up and St. Peter came and got her. <br />
<br />
"So, you've spent a day in hell and you've spent a day in heaven. <br />
<br />
Now you must choose your eternity," he said. <br />
<br />
The woman paused for a second and then replied, "Well, I never thought I'd say this, I mean, Heaven has been really great and all, but I think I had a better time in Hell." <br />
<br />
So St. Peter escorted her to the elevator and again she went down-down-down back to Hell. When the doors of the elevator opened she found herself standing in a desolate wasteland <br />
covered in garbage and Filth. She saw her friends were dressed in rags and were picking up the garbage and putting it in sacks. The Devil came up to her and put his arm around her. "I don't understand," stammered the woman, "yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and a country club and we ate lobster and we danced and had a great time. Now all there is a wasteland of garbage and all my friends look miserable." <br />
<br />
The Devil looked at her and smiled. "Yesterday we were recruiting you; today you're staff."<br />
<br />
Everybody on earth dies and goes to heaven. God comes and says "I want the men to make two lines. One line for the men that dominated their women on earth and the other line for the men that were whipped by their women. Also, I want all the women to go with St Peter." <br />
<br />
Said and done, the next time God looks the women are gone and there are two lines. The line of the men that were whipped was 100 miles long, on the line of men that dominated women there was only one man. <br />
<br />
God got mad and said. "You men should be ashamed of yourselves. I <br />
created you in my image, and you were all whipped by your mates. Look at the only one of my sons that stood up and made me proud, Learn from him!" Tell them my son how did you manage to be the only one on that line? <br />
<br />
The man said, "I don't know. My wife told me to stand here."</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> ----------------------------------------</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A priest and a taxi driver both died and went to heaven. St. Peter <br />
was at the Pearly gates waiting for them. <br />
<br />
'Come with me', said St. Peter to the taxi driver. <br />
<br />
The taxi driver did as he was told and followed St. Peter to a <br />
mansion. It had anything you could imagine from a bowling alley to an Olympic size pool. <br />
<br />
'Wow, thank you', said the taxi driver. <br />
<br />
Next, St. Peter led the priest to a rugged old shack with a bunk <br />
bed and a little old television set. <br />
<br />
'Wait, I think you are a little mixed up', said the priest. <br />
'Shouldn't I be the one who gets the mansion? After all I was a priest, went to church every day, and preached God's word.' <br />
<br />
'Yes, that's true. But during your sermons people slept. When the <br />
taxi driver drove, everyone prayed.'</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Click this link to see a cool new year e-card (sent to me by Roger David...Thanks Roger!)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=2665311042386&source=<br />
<br />
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</span></div>yunesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05708369387553951067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935145258258915433.post-3115143347233771232010-12-18T14:29:00.003+00:002010-12-20T07:13:10.786+00:002011 Trends2011 Trends for the Spa, Massage Therapy, Beauty and Wellness Industry<br />
by Eunice<br />
<br />
But before I share to you the 4 mega-trends here is one favorite music I wanted to share. Expect greater things to come in 2011!<br />
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2011 FOUR MEGA-TRENDS FOR BUSINESS AND PROFESSION WITH A FOCUS ON THE SPA, MASSAGE THERAPY, BEAUTY AND WELLNESS INDUSTRY <br />
<br />
<br />
By yunesa(at)yahoo.com<br />
1. You-nique<br />
Little by little, the culture for being unique and different will penetrate the market. People will put up a business not just to join the bandwagon but to differentiate itself from the rest. Businesses which tend to copycat (gaya-gaya) others will have more difficulty as the market is already saturated in most metropolitan areas. The results would be: Individualized unique selling propositions of different businesses and professionals in the industry; People and professionals would want to master and focus on their uniqueness and being different and applying them in their field of interest. The most innovative and the visionaries will win. So what will Asia offer uniquely? What will Filipinos offer that sets it apart from others? Shine! Shine bright!<br />
<br />
2. Fusion<br />
I have already written about this in 2010 as part of the emerging trend and this has already started in many industries this year 2010 but will become diverse in the years 2011 and beyond. I remember the story of the crab seller. He was selling German. American and Filipino crabs. Two containers were closed while the third was left open and one buyer asked why is the third one open. He replied that those are Filipino crabs and no one will be able to get out of the bucket because every other crab will pull him down. One thing that we have to practice hard is push each other up, bless people who are more successful than we are because our words come back to us four fold. If you think badly of the success of others, you won’t be successful because you will also be thinking badly of your own success, you will pull yourself down! So start blessing, loving and giving more.<br />
<br />
Mergers. Combination. Grouping. Mixtures. Mingling. Hybrid. Togetherness. Collective. Collaborative. Unity. Whatever the term more and more people will realize that there is strength in numbers more and more businesses and professions will gravitate towards this trend. We have already seen for the past few years, the fusion of health and medical field with the field of alternative medicine otherwise known as Integrative or Complementary medicine. We can see more and more hospitals looking like spas and healing retreats. We can see migration of health professionals in the field of wellness. Other forms of fusion and grouping are websites with group buying online, which will increase in popularity. Social buying. Group buying. We already have group buying sites in the Philippines with websites like: <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.presyongpatok.com/">http://www.presyongpatok.com/</a><br />
(as of this writing the site is about to be launched soon by our Meetup friends at 98Labs <a href="http://www.98labs.com/">http://www.98labs.com/</a> ) <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.buyanihan.com/">http://www.buyanihan.com/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cashcashpinoy.com/">http://www.cashcashpinoy.com/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.localroam.ph/">http://www.localroam.ph/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.beeconomic.com/">http://www.beeconomic.com/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ensogo.com.ph/">http://www.ensogo.com.ph/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.etreet.com/">http://www.etreet.com/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.etreet.com/">http://www.etreet.com/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.awesome.ph/">http://www.awesome.ph/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.dealgrocer.com/">http://www.dealgrocer.com/</a> <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.twangoo.com/">http://www.twangoo.com/</a><br />
<br />
<br />
As Seth Godin points out in his blog “Groupon is a very different thing. Here, it's not a hassle, it's the fun factor. Buying this way is exciting, you never know what's next, you do it with friends, the copy is funny, it's an adventure. As a result, many Groupon customers in fact do convert to becoming long time patrons of the place they tried, because they're not inherently cheap shoppers. When they're on Groupon they're hunting for fun. But if you offer an astonishing product and great service after they try you, they may convert into shopping with you for the long haul, not because you're a Groupon replacement, but because you bring them more than the alternatives. The net, once again, is making it easier to find and organize tribes of people, even for short durations. When you intersect these aligned groups with high-margin products, you can create fascinating commerce opportunities.” <br />
<br />
<br />
I subscribe to all of these group buying sites online and I think they are great for consumers not only for cheapskates. I suggest for you to subscribe to. The popular motto: If you can’t beat them, join them will be a wise thing to do in these times. In the Spa, Massage Therapy and Wellness industry, fusion on the types of treatments, therapies, professions, businesses, websites and affiliates. Examples of fusion: In the spa, massage therapy and wellness profession: more and more health practitioners will be accepting alternative medicine and other spa therapies that prove to be scientifically effective. When it comes to services and activities spas will fuse/combine creative ways of spending time at the spa like: laughter yoga, flower arrangement, lei, macro-biotic cooking, vegetarianism, color therapy, digitization, etc. Who knows some courses in school will be defunct and/merged with another course? So in essence, don’t be left behind! Noone is an island, team up with others. Your weaknesses are all a sign that we need others to build a team. Build bridges!<br />
<br />
To give a glimpse of the FUTURE see the funny video below:<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Nt0x74nem_E?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Nt0x74nem_E?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<br />
3. Local Twists and versions<br />
<br />
The nearer the source- the better it is for suppliers, distributors and consumers and the more popular it will become. More businesses will source out local products and indigenous “one-of-a-kind services and products”. In fact, a local version or an Asian version of almost everything will be invented, discovered and popularized. An increased awareness of one’s own culture will definitely boost creativity.<br />
<br />
<br />
4. Mindology and Brainology<br />
Bringing consciousness to the table means a lot of people will gravitate towards the need for self-fulfillment through the power of the mind. More and more eyes will be opened to new possibilities and opportunities by using brain power mainly because of the urgency in ones deeper self to make a difference. Implications will include: the need for spas to fuse music which stimulates our brain waves to be more creative, color therapy in schematics, amongst others.<br />
<br />
Bottom line, we have to realize that although this business or profession is based on healing, passion and commitment to people, I believe that it is necessary to change in terms of how we deliver results financially. We have to evolve and be better if we want to grow individual business as well as our industry. If I could, I would teach, speak or write and give FREE advice to anyone who is willing to listen (and I know a lot of you out there are silently listening, Thanks to you.) but we are all on the same boat. We all need to make a living in something that we love doing. As for myself, I make my living by helping others start, create or change their business to be more successful in their business or profession so that we might all be better able to touch other’s lives and provide greater value for our clients and our community.<br />
I hope that you understand that it is my deepest wish for you in 2011 that you heal yourself in career, work, business and relationships- and all the other areas in between so that you may continue to heal others. If I can be of service to you in accomplishing your goals, I want you to know that I am only an email away. If you are ready in changing for the better in the 2011 please do get in touch with me and like all of my clients who have been a family to me, all these years, I promise you two things: <br />
<br />
1. If I can help your business or profession, you will be able to afford my services and <br />
<br />
2. If I can’t help you, I will never sell you something you do not need. <br />
My dear friend, I pray that you will…<br />
<br />
• Spiritually, grow closer to God, our Creator.<br />
<br />
• Financially, grow towards financial abundance and generosity.<br />
<br />
• Physically, grow healthier and stronger.<br />
<br />
• Emotionally, grow more peaceful.<br />
<br />
• Relationally, grow in love.<br />
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Those are my aspirations for you.<br />
<br />
Have a Victorious and Blessed 2011!<br />
<br />
<br />
(If you want to know the trend last year please click on this link below:<br />
<a href="http://yunesa.blogspot.com/2009/12/2010-trends-spa-massage-therapy-beauty.html">http://yunesa.blogspot.com/2009/12/2010-trends-spa-massage-therapy-beauty.html</a>)<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/q7Nl-Ij_zYo?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/q7Nl-Ij_zYo?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>yunesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05708369387553951067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935145258258915433.post-38748208824163785892010-12-03T11:46:00.003+00:002010-12-05T01:10:15.200+00:00Non-material, Unique and Memorable Gift IdeasNON-MATERIAL GIFTS AND UNIQUE GIFT IDEAS FOR CHRISTMAS <br />
<br />
<br />
By yunesa(at)yahoo.com<br />
<br />
Thank God Christmas na naman and we have so much to be thankful for. Indeed despite the odds, we are overcomers, we did not only survived but we grew and we thrived and have met a lot of wonderful inspiring people. Christmas is just a few days from now so before we rush to give gifts, let me enumerate several non-material and kung material naman we can make it as unique and as memorable as possible. When buying a unique and special gift for our loved ones we are using up all our creativity and resources to do so. If money is tight, every peso counts so there is no such thing as “cheap”, if you have really thought about it, no matter what the cost, then that’s what matters. Material gifts are not the only things that you can give so before buying something, listen to clues on what he/she really wants. Instead of the usual gifts, you can mix and match any two or three of these items depending on your budget. Last week I already started shopping for friends, mentors, business associates and partners in the spa and wellness industry most of them naman are outside the country so my challenge is to give something that is light and will stand the pressure of being transported in our postal system :-). My aim is to represent the country’s being unique and one of a kind kaya, I have window shopped at Ragds2Riches in Cubao and Echostore at Serendra. I think gifts that symbolize our core lifestyle and principles stand out from those expensive ones. In order to be special, I believe that a gift should always be a representative of ourselves and the people whom we wish to bless. <br />
<br />
So, I came up with a list of non-material and unique gift ideas for this season:<br />
<br />
1. Non-material and Experiential Personalized gifts<br />
<br />
A. If you are a massage therapist or know how to professionally perform massage therapy, offer a massage or an hour of bodywork as a gift but if you are not, then buy a massage or spa gift certificate for them. Treat them to a spa.<br />
<br />
B. If you are skilled in a particular area, offer a FREE lesson, class, personal training session or coaching to people you think really needs them but cannot pay you.<br />
<br />
C. Volunteer for a special event or a Christmas party<br />
<br />
D. Write an encouraging email. Tell some good news about your life and how that person has been a part of it. It was found out that the most successful people are generous with their praises. The more good things you look for in people, the more good things come to you. So write some encouraging letter or email to people whom you admire, who has helped you in anyway and people you look up to. Not only would they be glad to give you some advice or tips but more goodness will come to you.<br />
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E. Treat them to a restaurant, an ice cream parlor or a night out at the movies.<br />
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F. Take them to a beach, a zoo, a picnic or an amusement park.<br />
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G. Buy a gym membership for them<br />
<br />
H. A gift certificate or ticket to a seminar, workshop, concert, sporting event, a game or show. One of our Meetup members and a dear friend of mine, Antoinette Villajin offers yoga classes for only 100 pesos.<br />
Here is the link to her website: <a href="http://toinettevillajin.com/">http://toinettevillajin.com/</a><br />
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I. Unforgettable getaway or weekend out of town<br />
<br />
J. Baby-sit for them<br />
<br />
K. Do the laundry<br />
<br />
L. Clean the garden<br />
<br />
M. Run at least 3 errands for the person<br />
<br />
N. Feed the pet<br />
<br />
O. Take them to Philippine heritage sites and museums<br />
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P. Pay for his/her music, art or massage/spa class<br />
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Q. Make a charitable donation in his/her behalf/name or pick a charity and whatever you would like to spend for that person, you should give it as a donation to that charity.<br />
<br />
R. Write a poem<br />
<br />
S. Compose a song<br />
<br />
T. This one is from Yvonne Aburrow, organize a Jumble exchange; it works like this. Everyone brings clothes, books, ornaments or toys that they don't really use any more. It all gets laid out on tables or a tarpaulin in the garden (or in the house if you have room). Everyone picks out what they want (no money changes hands). At the end there's a "grand holding up" where everyone is shown what is left. If no-one wants it, it goes to a charity shop (thrift store). Usually there are three or four big bags left over to go to the charity shop. Another idea is to write out some nice poetry in calligraphy style and frame it. To avoid buying the frame, you could make it out of driftwood or broken china mosaic, or pebbles. <br />
<br />
2. Unique things/items ( some of which you can make with your own hands)<br />
<br />
Examples: <br />
<br />
a. Towels or slippers with embroidered names of the recipients<br />
<br />
b. Collect quotes or inspiring stories and compile them in a personalized album<br />
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c. Bring some food that you cooked and prepared yourself. (Make sure that it has a long shelf life).<br />
<br />
d. A pot of herb, orchid, flowers or local plant like those petite bamboos that does not need soil.<br />
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e. Hand-made recipe book<br />
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f. Christmas tree ornaments out of scrap<br />
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g. Bed and bath accessories with their name on it (either embroidered, painted or printed)<br />
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3. Memorable gifts and socially conscious gift ideas (but you can also make your own at home)<br />
<br />
a. Hand-made organic soaps and candles (you can visit the website www.yakappinoy.com 90% of products there were formulated by Dra. Naomi Dilodilo, a dear friend of mine and one of our members at Meetup and her advocacy is bringing products of the Philippines in the global market. Plus, her products are not expensive and delicious pa!)<br />
<br />
b. Handmade Christmas cards (Since I am artistically challenged and thought of giving not just ordinary Christmas cards bought in a local bookstore, I ordered mine from San Roque Handmade paper products Multi-Purpose Cooperative, you can browse over their hand-made Christmas cards and all occasion cards at this site www.dayawanpaper.com. By the way, they are located in Misamis Oriental so might as well order from them early so they can ship it to you. Depending on the number of cards, I ordered 32 pieces so mine arrived after ordering in less than a week. You can also call Emma Salvana at 09324454265 or contact Elnie-Balabaga Cagas Community Relations Department STEAG State Power, Inc.PHIVIDEC Industrial Estate Balacanas, Villanueva, Misamis Oriental 9002, Philippines Email: elnie.cagas@steagstatepower.com <br />
<br />
Phone +63 (32) 230 8200 Fax +63 (32) 230 8283)<br />
<br />
For your close friends, give additional cards for them to be able to send out to another person as well.<br />
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You can also send funny and nice Christmas e-cards for them like the one below:<br />
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<div style="background-color: #e9e9e9; width: 567px;"><object data="http://aka.zero.jibjab.com/client/zero/ClientZero_EmbedViewer.swf?external_make_id=cPIFwkilWkr3cs1V&service=sendables.jibjab.com&partnerID=holidays" height="319" id="A64060" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" quality="high" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="567" wmode="transparent"><param name='wmode' value='transparent'></param><param name='movie' value='http://aka.zero.jibjab.com/client/zero/ClientZero_EmbedViewer.swf?external_make_id=cPIFwkilWkr3cs1V&service=sendables.jibjab.com&partnerID=holidays'></param><param name='scaleMode' value='showAll'></param><param name='quality' value='high'></param><param name='allowNetworking' value='all'></param><param name='allowFullScreen' value='true' /><param name='FlashVars' value='external_make_id=cPIFwkilWkr3cs1V&service=sendables.jibjab.com&partnerID=holidays'></param><param name='allowScriptAccess' value='always'></param></object><br />
<div style="margin-top: 6px; text-align: center; width: 435px;">Personalize funny videos and birthday <a href="http://sendables.jibjab.com/ecards">eCards</a> at JibJab!</div></div><br />
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c. Organic delights such as: honeyed candies, sweets and delicacies (see www.yakappinoy.com )<br />
<br />
d. CD’s, DVD’s or movies that could make a difference like:<br />
<br />
a. The Genius Club (Stephen Baldwin, Paula Parker, et al)<br />
<br />
b. Blind Side (Sandra Bullock)<br />
<br />
c. Fireproof (Kirk Cameron and Erin Bethea)<br />
<br />
d. Flywheel (from the Creators of Facing the Giants)<br />
<br />
e. Love’s Enduring Promise (a film by Michael Landon)<br />
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f. Spa music CD’s<br />
<br />
g. Inspirational audio books and CD’s<br />
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e. Organic stuffs and toiletries like soaps, shampoo and toiletries <br />
<br />
f. Yoga mat<br />
<br />
g. Inspirational books and audio books or books that promote the health and well-being of the person.<br />
<br />
h. Hula-hoop or jumping ropes for the fitness conscious or wellness conscious individual.<br />
<br />
i. Massager (electronic or wooden)<br />
<br />
j. Buy some locally and organically grown food or delicacies<br />
<br />
k. A pet<br />
<br />
l. A magazine subscription<br />
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Before I end, one of the greatest gifts you can give others and yourself is the gift of forgiveness and acceptance. It will be your Christmas gift to the Lord. Any type of resentment, sama ng loob, pagkamuhi, inggit- it’s time to release them unto the Lord. Anyway, it is Jesus Christ’s birthday not ours. Happy Birthday Lord! <br />
<br />
If you have other gift ideas not listed here or where to purchase it from, please do share it. I would be glad to publish it here.<br />
Thanks and Merry Christmas to one and all!<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/q7Nl-Ij_zYo?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/q7Nl-Ij_zYo?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>yunesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05708369387553951067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935145258258915433.post-38075301119521986242010-11-19T00:35:00.006+00:002010-11-24T08:52:18.306+00:00BizWiz Consumer Review and What Spas, Massage Clinics and Wellness Center Professionals and Businesses can Learn from ThemBizWiz B.E.S.T. Workshop Consumer Review and What Spas, Massage Clinics and Wellness Center Professionals and Businesses can Learn from Them<br />
by Eunice<br />
yunesa(at)yahoo.com<br />
<br />
It has been some time now since my latest consumer review for spas, massage clinic and wellness centers mainly because most of those businesses that I have gone to are not fit to be mentioned. Hehehe...let alone blogged about. When I blog, I would rather blog about exceptional, unique products and services. People that are linchpins not the ordinary ones. This I found with the BizWiz's B.E.S.T. (Beyond Entrepreneurship Skills Training) workshop. I think yung letter S dapat they have to change to Simulation hehehe.... Sometimes, it's also time constraints as I wanted to write about other services pero my time won't allow it. Oh well....<br />
<br />
I will try my best not to write too much in detail here as it will defeat the purpose of the B.E.S.T. workshop (and I have to be careful not to divulge too much as we signed a NDA- non disclusore agreement...hehehe..fortunately Jason Estimado told me I am exempted from the rule). Okay first things first, there are five basic things I learned from the two-days workshop:<br />
<br />
1. I found out that this is not a seminar but a workshop. People keep referring this as a seminar...I beg to disagree. A seminar is best for visual and auditory learners because technically, a seminar is (almost always) just a one way uni-directional type of communication. One speaks and the rest listens. Do not expect to just sit down, relax and sleep while the speaker or lecturer or facilitator gets in front. Be prepared to take part of the activities and finish them.<br />
<br />
2. I found out that I am a kinestetic learner. I learn and retain things better when I <u>DO</u> things with my hands and get involved in activities with others and if you are that type of learner, this workshop is a very good fit for you. You have to figure things out on your own. How do you know if you know something? Kasi ginagawa mo na ang natutunan mo in your daily activities but kung hindi mo naman ina-apply sa buhay mo then, you have not learned at all.<br />
<br />
3. I am very much aware of corporate social responsibility(CRS)- eto common..nothing new, but in this workshop we have to go beyond CSR. Businesses should earn profit while working towards addressing basic human needs which includes a range of issues such as health, wealth generation, equality, environmental managament and building trust-based relationships. This I have found sa B.E.S.T. workshop ng BizWhiz. Sana tayo rin na mga consumers of services maging mindful or concerned tayo sa role natin in creating a better and sustainable world. Hindi puwede yung bili tayo ng bili, attend ng attend ng seminars or events na wala namang impact sa buhay natin. I admit I am a seminar junkie- talagang mahilig ako sa seminars, workshops to the point of attending them outside the country pero the B.E.S.T. is one of those very few na I think would be a very good example of how to turn things around and I would be proud of promoting. Because the workshop is not really technical, it's streetwise---- and fun!<br />
<br />
4. I have met a lot of informal leaders. The formal leaders are those with MBA's, two or three degrees and titles attached to their names but here at B.E.S.T. Biz Whiz workshop I have seen and met informal leaders. Informal leaders develop and they do not have any explicit qualification. They are seldom seen as high potential candidates for top leadership positions. I feel that the spa, massage therapy and wellness business should learn from them as we have to seek the creme dela creme of the industry without focusing too much on degrees and educational attainment, grammar and formalities.<br />
<br />
5. B.E.S.T by BizWiz resources is one of the linchpins in the information, seminars and workshop industry. Thanks to the brilliant Seth Godin for the word. Linchpins or lynchpins are systems, concepts or people who do things that either hold the enterprise together or move it forward (or both). Linchpins do timely work that delights the recipient without expecting anything in return- the spirit of genuine giving. Satisfactory work, Godin argues, does not elicit the same response. Linchpins refuse to succumb to norms and be like all the other businesses or workers. They are creative, inspiring, proactive driving forces- I hope that BizWhiz will continue to become bigger and better too. <br />
<br />
For me, linchpins are uniquely carving their niche in a seemingly very competitive business or professional environement. Kaya up to now hindi ko maintindihan bakit ang dami pa ring gustong mag put-up or mag start ng kanilang spa, massage clinic and wellness center without thinking what will differentiate them from the rest of the pack- aside from the price. Seasoned spa, massage clinics and wellness center owners know that you will not survive in the industry if you are not uniquely you. In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, linchpins become mapmakers and chart new directions.<br />
<br />
You and I are born equal pero different. Do you want to be really rich and happy? Do you want to stand out from the rest of those massage therapists, spa therapists or business owners out there? Then be yourself. Be what you really are. Be very good at what you do. This is the first step toward becoming beter than what you are today. Chose to become yourself. Huwag kang gumaya lang ng gumaya.<br />
<br />
We cannot reach our true destiny kung lagi ka na lang habol ng habol at gaya ng gaya sa iba. You can't reach your destiny taking another man's road. If you will not walk in someone else's track you will not make new discoveries. You have to follow the leading of your heart and go instead where noonw has gone before you and leave a trail there.<br />
<br />
Avoid following the crowd. Minsan, I will meet spa owners who are about to start their business in this industry who have their own originality. Hindi sila common na spa. Did you know that you are detined to be different? That is why we all have different fingerprints. God did not make any of us alike. Dare to be different in your field and follow your own star. How?<br />
<br />
Sabi ng Romans 12: 6-8 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. <br />
<br />
So how will you develop your gifts. skills and talents inherent in you? Develop your interests and potential. The more you develop your talents and skills- the less you will be like someone else. Trying to copy the business of another is self-defeating. One of your main purpose in your life is to know thyself and give birth to yourself. Alamin mo kung saan ka magaling at saan ka mahilig na kahit nahihirapan ka eh- masaya ka then find a way to earn from what you love doing. Kung mahilig kang mag sulat at matagal mo ng pinapangarap na magsulat ng iyong libro then write what you love about. Buy books, CD's about book writing and publishing then interview people who have gone before you.<br />
<br />
You canot be so-so, common, average, ordinary in order to stand out in this world, you have to be an original, atypical, exceptional, extraordinary, unusual to be remembered. Common people, common places and common things get forgotten easily. You must be uncommon and be the best version of yourself, your profession and your business to be a champion and a superstar. Be a superstar in your chosen niche.<br />
<br />
Do not let your life be a constant struggle between what you are not and what you should not. You are what God made you and a miracle. Be the best version of yourself.<br />
<br />
Be YOU-nique and make a difference.<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/phL0RLKL8bc?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/phL0RLKL8bc?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/q7Nl-Ij_zYo?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/q7Nl-Ij_zYo?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>yunesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05708369387553951067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935145258258915433.post-62162764227174777002010-11-08T10:42:00.006+00:002010-11-16T01:13:35.192+00:00The TRUE Giftedness in Business and Career (of Spa, Massage Therapy and Wellness)The TRUE Giftedness in Business and Career (of Spa, Massage Therapy and Wellness)<br />
by <a href="mailto:yunesa@yahoo.com">yunesa@yahoo.com</a><br />
<br />
There are two types of business:<br />
1. The business of giving to get and<br />
2. The business of giving to love. <br />
In the first type of business, the business exists only for attention, the emulation of others or the need of the entrepreneur to be liked or loved and thus to earn money. <br />
<br />
In the latter type of business, it gives because it wants to serve people and loves the people they are serving. The entrepreneur is passionate about what he/she does and would like to share it with others. This should be the heart of every business and profession not only the spa, massage therapy or wellness industry. Money is just a way for these businesses to be rewarded financially. Eventhough their value is much more than money. It is always a blessing to do what you love and be paid for it.<br />
<br />
There is nothing wrong if we want to be loved, liked and admired. It's one of our most basic need. But we have to realize that giving out of necessity and as a way of getting attention and to be loved, then this is not true generosity. That's toxic. You call that co-dependent type of person and it's lethal to your soul. Pleasing people so that they will love you in return is like buying their love. It's slow suicide.<br />
<br />
One very close person that I knew very well always give gifts to her friends and colleagues. Whatever she can afford: food, clothing, shoes... things. People would always tell her "Oh you're so generous" but deep within, I know this person is one of the most miserable person on planet Earth. She is constantly sad within because she does not know who her true friends are. She doesn't know if her friends are really friends and are simply there because she gives them stuff. People abuse her (false) kindness or (seemingly) generosity. She is not receiving the rewards of her generosity because she is not really generous- she is needy. She is needy for attention, for friendship and love. She is giving because she felt the need to be accepted. She's giving out of need and fear not out of love. Gloom and grief fills up the space she created. She gives out of need thus even becomes more needy. How do I know this? Because that person was no other than--- myself.<br />
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I was needing true friends and I thought I can be more closer to others if I would give something especially material things. I learned. I gained wisdom. If your love tank is empty like me before, you need to do a few things: <br />
First, allow God to love you. Pray from your heart and ask Him to give you the love that no human being can give you. Accept that God loves you and died for your sins and no matter what He is just a prayer away. Accept Him in your heart. Dedicate to Him your past, your present, your future.<br />
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Secondly, know yourself, accept yourself, love yourself and forgive yourself. Your height, color, size, weight, IQ level, etc. Improve yourself but love it anyway. Learn to be generous to yourself, celebrate being alive daily or waking up- celebrate everyday! Remember this, unless you truly love yourself, you will not be capable of loving others. <br />
Therefore, in our life, we have to love first ourselves before we really love others. This is not selfish. This is just right.<br />
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An example of which is when we ride airplanes. Di ba kahit sa eroplano may sinasabi ang mga flight attendants na ganito: "In the unlikely event of a loss of cabin pressure, oxygen masks will appear. Place the mask over your mouth and nose, and breath normally. If you are traveling with small children, secure your own mask first, and then help them with theirs....." Why do we have to secure our oxygen first before helping children with them? Why should grownups get the oxygen before the kids? It is very important for us adults, to make sure that we get the mask on quickly or we might pass out before we could help them and they would not be able to help us. <br />
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Let us love ourselves and forgive ourselves first before we can truly love and forgive others.<br />
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Third, be with people who will add value to your life NOT just people who are there because they want to sell something to you or they want to pick your brains. Be with people who will give out of something of themselves (example: time, Godly advise, effort, service, companionship, committment, etc.) to you for friendship and love. Dump people (I mean get out of a relationship or avoid them as much as possible) who are complainers- you know, those Debbie downers, the types who sucks the energy off of you but instead replace them with people who inspires you and improves your outlook in life. The circle of friends that you choose should be positive and inspiring people inspite of the rocky roads in life not the gloomy and pessimistic ones.<br />
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I repeat: the true wealth in business or any profession or career is being truly generous with your core gifts, skills and talents and sharing it with others. It is giving out of love, which fills our lives with more love. Then money will find a way to come.<br />
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<a href="http://www.cbnasia.org/700club_stories/index.php?id=251">To understand where I am coming from look at this video of my past.- Click on this link.</a><br />
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One way of loving yourself is doing what this little girl is doing.<br />
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So tell me, which type of business or profession are you about to start? The first or the second?<br />
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God bless you, your spa, massage business, your career, your profession, your family, your plans and goals!yunesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05708369387553951067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935145258258915433.post-79514882701313944492010-10-21T13:34:00.006+01:002010-10-21T15:42:53.245+01:00Stereotype storiesStereotype Stories <br />
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By Eunice Estipona<br />
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What first comes into your mind when you hear the word Spa? Massage? Beauty? Wellness? How do you stereotype these words? Is it one which relaxes you? One that creates an emotion of serenity? Stereotypes can either be positive or negative but when it comes to people, it ignores the possibility that an individual is unique. Stereotypes view people by painting all members of a group with the same brush. A few days ago, I read and viewed a few videos/ stories all with one similar theme: stereotyping.<br />
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Stereotyping story #1- Stereotyping religion<br />
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Its extreme to judge a religion by what others have done. Let us instill forgiveness not vengeance inspite of stereotyping. Let us continue to pray for a heart that would find understanding in this troublesome world.<br />
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Stereotyping story #2- Stereotyping Names (from an email by my friend, Rommel Martinez)<br />
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A Pinoy went to a bar in Hawaii to have some drinks. At the counter, he sat next to the famous Hollywood director, Steven Spielberg who was already ahead by a quart of alcohol. After a couple of beers, the Pinoy sensed that Spielberg was glaring at him. Suddenly, in a flash the Pinoy crashed down from his stool, felled by a vicious hook from the director. <br />
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Picking himself up, he yelled, "Wat is dat por?" <br />
Spielberg ranted: "That's for the bombing of Pearl Harbor , you #@@!!##! My dad perished in that bombing!" <br />
"But I am not Jafanese... I am Filipino!" exclaimed the Pinoy. <br />
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The inebriated director replied, "Yeah yeah yeah ....Japanese, Burmese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Filipino ...you are all the same." <br />
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Regaining his composure, the Pinoy dusted off his white pants, straightened the collar of his loud bird-of-paradise printed shirt, took his seat and ordered a double R&B from the bartender. After a few sips, the Pinoy stood up and delivered his best Jackie Chan karate kick, sending the director flying halfway across the room. <br />
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"What was that for?!!" shouted the surprised Spielberg from about fifteen feet away. <br />
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"Dat's por da sinking of da TITANIC! I had my grandpader on dat ship!" the Pinoy answered back. <br />
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"You ignorant! The TITANIC was sunk by an iceberg!" exclaimed the director. <br />
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"Yah yah yah...Iceberg, Spielberg, Carlsberg... you are all the same." <br />
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When we see a Filipina working in Hong Kong, do we stereotype them as domestic helpers, nannies and care givers? what about Filipinas working in Japan? Although most of what Filipinos do outside the country are honorable work, not all people have the right mindset. I have personally experienced stereotyping when we touched down Frankfurt, Germany and we were not allowed to get out of the terminal just as quickly as others would, just because we were carrying Filipino passorts and maybe (just maybe) there have been a lot of reports of people coming into transit but exiting Frankfurt illegally, who knows? it just seems stereotyping is everywhere. The question is, how do we want as a country and a race to be remembered? What do we want to be stereotyped as a nation five years down the road?<br />
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Stereotyping story #3- Stereotyping beauty and color<br />
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The Filipinos have often stereotyped white skincolor as something superior and thus, we have all kinds of whitening and bleaching products and services in the spa. Even the type of hair is stereotyped as beautiful if its straight but its ugly when its curly. Therefore salons kept on urging us to rebond, relax and straighten our hair. Media (especially TV commercials) has often made us think that outside beauty is a thing to focus on but true beauty lies more than skin deep. Although a beautiful face has its merits, we should focus more on our attitude and our hearts. We should not judge the book by its cover.<br />
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Stereotyping Story #4- Stereotyping Brands<br />
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Believe it or not consumers stereotype brands. What comes into mind when we hear the words, Dolce and Gabbana? Levis? La Coste? Havaianas? Nike? what about when we hear the words Marriott Hotel what comes into our mind? Several years ago, I read two stories about this great hotel chain and the wonderful people working there. First, the Cambridge Marriott Hotel which is legendary for its exemplary service. At a time when the hotel industry was feeling the crunch, it even made more money. It's even rare to find people leaving the hotel without returning back. The secret? The doorman of the country called Phil Adelman. He was 59 years old when he was hired at Marriott, barely a high school graduate and had no hotel experience. He originally applied for a job as a dishwasher but was willing to accept any post that Marriott would give, Phil became a doorman. Phil grabs doors, slots luggages, he does more than make every guest feel welcome and at home. He is as much a performer as a service worker. He has some dramatic ideal of the doorman in mind and he tried to live up to that ideal. He loves people and takes pride in the work itself. The talent and charm of Phil Adelman is the giving of small favors for people without making them appear as much. He never hangs around waiting for a tip. According to Phil, "waiting around for the tip, spoils the ritual of providing service both for him and the guests" plus, he doesn't have to. It's the guests who track him down to give him tip. His joy is in serving people and his passion is in having served well. Even after he was diagnosed with colon cancer- he never missed a day of work, according to his wife Helen. In 2007, he died at the age of 80.<br />
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Another employee of Marriott, Albert "Smitty" Smith was awarded the Best Sports Salesperson of the Year, beating all the other salesperson from every Marriott branch all over the world. Even when half the Dodger's team went to the other competing hotel to take advantage of the lower price, Albert took a day off. Not for himself though. He would call the other hotel and ask one of his friends what time the team would arrive then he would go over there in full uniform and wait for the team in the lobby. One time when the Dodger's came to town, Coach Tommy Lasorda led the team into the competing hotel and he was standing there waiting for them. Tommy smiles, shook his hand and said "Smitty, what are you doing here? Are you with the hotel now? This is great! So are we!" But Albert replied that he was still at the Marriott but he was there to wish them luck against the Braves and that he brought their special order from the Marriott after the game because their new hotel's room service closes at 11pm so he would miss his late night snack but most importantly, he also told them that "eventhough you can't afford to stay with Marriott anymore, we still love you".<br />
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Marriott. Great brand. Positive stereotyping. But wherever you are, whether working for the Marriott or not, the next time you stereotype your job as a necessary evil or you think like giving up on our work, think of Phil and Albert. Our work, staff, colleagues, company and bosses are a blessing. From them we can learn how to hone and cultivate more of our talents and skills. Our superiors detects the hidden gem in us and gives us the opportunity to contribute to the team. I am really blessed for having to learn and work hand in hand with great people in the spa, massage and wellness industry who taught me more than loving my career but loving people as the bottomline. Whatever the appearance, color, the creed, the religious affiliation, age, gender, etc...and that is positive stereotyping!<br />
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"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,” Colossians 3:23(NIV)yunesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05708369387553951067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935145258258915433.post-70162964380171370802010-10-10T17:31:00.003+01:002010-10-11T10:10:11.091+01:00Why are we where we are now?Why are we where we are now? <br />
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by Eunice<br />
(At-length analysis on why the Philippines is poor and what we can do about it)<br />
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After a decade in the spa, massage therapy and wellness industry, I have come to realize that an inexperienced staff with a track record of integrity is way more preferable than a brilliant employee with questionable ethics. The latter will become a problem in the future for the spa business. Here is why.<br />
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The video below hit the net community especially the Filipino audience online.<br />
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Before anything else, let us not talk about schools and crème de la crème. This will not be the focus of my blog. The thing that has really stuck into my mind is when Prof. Winnie Monsod said and I quote, “Eh saan tayo ngayon? (Where are we now?) If they (those in the government) are so good, why are we where we are now?” <br />
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In Philippine culture, we have always looked upon people who graduated with high honors, we have always saluted those who graduated from top universities especially those who studied in the US or abroad and we have placed in pedestals those whose diplomas and degrees are much higher than our own. If we are lead by great leaders coming from crème de la crème universities, who graduated with high honors and whose degrees and letters after the name is as many as the alphabet, in essence why is the Philippines still poor? There are a lot of factors and intricacies that this blog will not be able to answer. Suffice to say that one of the things that we have forgotten as a nation, we have placed too much emphasis on the outer realm, the diplomas, the school, the knowledge and the degrees to the point that we have exchanged our integrity for money, wealth or fame. It’s never enough to have a doctorate degree, to graduate with high honors or to graduate from a well-known university. The essence of going to school is for us to hone our talents, our knowledge and skills and apply them into our life, our practice and our work. An impeccable transcript of records, just don’t cut it in the real world of work. Excellence in itself is just not enough. There are a lot of excellent people in school with grade no lower than 1.5 (or A-) but their integrity and honor is as shallow as the cat’s pooo dugged under the soil. Do not get me wrong, hindi masamang magkaroon ng matataas na marka but do not let it overshadow our love for the country and our fellowmen. When Fortune 500 magazine asked the CEO’s of many Fortune 500 companies what they considered the most important qualities for hiring and promoting top executives, do you know what their unanimous answer were? It’s integrity and trustworthiness. Not technical skill, Not education, Not school. Not even a pleasing personality. But still, the good old-fashioned integrity, honesty, honor qualities that the Bible teaches. Only if we would turn and obey God’s word can we qualify to be a person of integrity and honor. Integrity and Honor, these things can never be taught even at Harvard.<br />
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Secondly, she said that “if you are going to help this country, you’ve got to be in this country.” The Filipino is also confused. Why? We want to stay in the country but there are no opportunities. There are no jobs that could help the people pay the crème de la crème tuition fees. I must admit, I am already at a point in my life where I am ready to move and I am contemplating on migrating abroad since all my immediate family is in the United States and I am the only one who is still a Filipino citizen. I think there are a lot (I mean a lot) of like me out there, who are ready to leave the country for better opportunities- for good. I do not blame them. <br />
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I have found the book, 12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do to Help Our Country by Atty. Alex Ledesma Lacson (also a graduate of the University of the Philippines) with my own thoughts and links added in CAPS:<br />
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1) Follow traffic rules. Follow the law.- THAT IS WHY LADY JUSTICE EYES ARE COVERED BECAUSE IT IS JUSTICE FOR ALL. RICH OR POOR ALIKE. NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.<br />
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2) Whenever you buy or pay for anything, always ask for an official receipt.<br />
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3) Don’t buy smuggled goods. Buy local. Buy Filipino.- STOP BUYING PIRATED COPIES OF VCD’S, DVD’S OR CD’S. RESPECT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. AT LEAST BUY MORE FILIPINO PRODUCTS THAN IMPORTED ONES. HINDI YUNG MAS PROUD PA TAYO PAG IMPORTED. THINK OF IT THIS WAY, IF YOU ARE BUYING MASSAGE OILS PERHAPS A LEMON GRASS, GINGER OR SAMPAGUITA MASSAGE OIL. MADE IN THE PHILIPPINES HINDI BA ANG TINUTULUNGAN MO RIN AY ANG ATING MGA FARMERS AND ATING MGA LOCAL BUSINESS MEN? PARA SILA AY SUMAGANA AT HINDI NA KAILANGAN PANG MANGIBANG BANSA NG MGA FARMERS OR NG ATING MGA KABABAYAN DAHIL SA KAKULANGAN SA TRABAHO. AT THE VERY LEAST, PERSONALLY, AT LEAST 70% OF THE PRODUCTS OR RETAIL THAT YOU BUY SHOULD BE PHILIPPINE MADE.<br />
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4) When you talk to others, especially foreigners speak positively about us and our country. – STOP COMPLAINING AND LOOKING DOWN ON OUR COUNTRY AND START ACTING ON SOLUTIONS. STOP BEING NEGATIVE AND PESSIMISTIC. START BLESSING OTHERS AND BLESSING OUR COUNTRY BECAUSE YOU AND I ARE SPECIAL.<br />
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I SUGGEST YOU START WITH KNOWING WHY YOU ARE SPECIAL? JUST IN CASE YOU FORGOT….<br />
WHY THE FILIPINO IS SPECIAL by Pastor Ed Lapiz<br />
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Filipinos are Brown <br />
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Their color is in the center of human racial strains. This point is not an attempt at racism, but just for many Filipinos to realize that our color should not be a source of or reason for inferiority complex. While we pine for a fair complexion, the white people are religiously tanning themselves, whenever they could, under the sun or some artificial light, just to approximate the Filipino complexion. <br />
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Filipinos are a touching people <br />
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We have lots of love and are not afraid to show it. We almost inevitably create human chains with our perennial akbay (putting an arm around another shoulder), hawak (hold), yaka(embrace), himas (caressing stroke), kalabit (touch with the tip of the finger), kalong (sitting on someone else's lap), etc. We are always reaching out, always seeking interconnection. <br />
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Filipinos are linguists <br />
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Put a Filipino in any city, any town around the world. Give him a few months or even weeks and he will speak the local language there. Filipinos are adept at learning and speaking languages. In fact, it is not uncommon for Filipinos to speak at least three: his dialect, Filipino, and English. Of course, a lot speak an added language, be it Chinese, Spanish or, if he works abroad, the language of his host country. <br />
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In addition, Tagalog is not 'sexist.' While many "conscious" and "enlightened" people of today are just by now striving to be "politically correct" with their language and, in the process, bend to absurd depths in coining "gender sensitive" words, Tagalog has, since time immemorial, evolved gender-neutral words like asawa (husband or wife), anak (son or daughter), magulang (father or mother), kapatid (brother or sister), biyenan (father-in-law or mother-in-law), manugang (son or daughter-in-law), bayani (hero or heroine), etc. Our languages and dialects are advanced and, indeed, sophisticated! It is no small wonder that Jose Rizal, the quintessential Filipino, spoke some twenty-two languages! <br />
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Filipinos are groupists <br />
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We love human interaction and company. We always surround ourselves with people and we hover over them, too. According to Dr. Patricia Licuanan, a psychologist from Ateneo, and Miriam College an average Filipino would have and know at least 300 relatives. <br />
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At work, we live bayanihan (mutual help); At play, we want a kalaro (playmate) more than laruan (toy). At socials, our invitations are open and it is more common even for guests to invite and bring in other guests. In transit, we do not want to be separated from our group. So what do we do when there is no more space in a vehicle? Kalung-kalong! (Sit on one another). No one would ever suggest splitting a group and waiting for another vehicle with more space! <br />
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Filipinos are weavers <br />
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One look at our baskets, mats, clothes and other crafts will reveal the skill of the Filipino weaver and his inclination to weaving. This art is a metaphor of the Filipino trait. We are social weavers. We weave theirs into ours that we all become parts of one another. We place a lot of premium on pakikisama (getting along) and pakikipagkapwa (relating). Two of the worst labels, walang pakikipagkapwa (inability to relate), will be avoided by the Filipino at almost any cost. <br />
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We love to blend and harmonize with people, we like to include them in our "tribe," in our "family" - and we like to be included in other people's families, too. Therefore we call our friend's mother nanay or mommy; we call a friend's sister ate (eldest sister), and so on. We even call strangers tia (aunt) or tio (uncle), tatang (grandfather), etc. <br />
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So extensive is our social openness and interrelations that we have specific title for extended relations like hipag (sister-in-law's spouse), balae (child-in-law's parents), inaanak (godchild), ninong/ ninang (godparents) kinakapatid (godparent's child), etc.<br />
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In addition, we have the profound 'ka' institution, loosely translated as "equal to the same kind" as in kasama (of the same company), kaisa (of the same cause), kapanalig (of the same belief), etc. In our social fiber, we treat other people as co-equals. <br />
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Filipinos, because of their social "weaving" traditions, make for excellent team workers. <br />
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Filipinos are adventurists <br />
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We have a tradition of separation. Our myths and legends speak of heroes and heroines who almost always get separated from their families and loved ones and are taken by circumstances to far-away lands where they find wealth or power. <br />
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Our Spanish colonial history is filled with separations caused by the reduccion (hamleting), and the forced migration to build towns, churches, fortresses or galleons. American occupation enlarged the space of Filipino wandering, including America , and there are documented evidences of Filipino presence in America as far back as 1587. <br />
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Now, Filipinos compose the world's largest population of overseas workers, populating and sometimes "threshing" major capitals, minor towns and even remote villages around the world. Filipino adventurism has made us today's citizens of the world, bringing the bagoong (salty shrimp paste). Pansit (sauteed noodles), siopao (meat-filled dough), kare-kare (peanut-flavored dish), dinuguan (innards cooked in pork blood) balut (unhatched duck egg), and adobo (meat vinaigrette), including the tabo (ladle) and tsinelas (slippers) all over the world. <br />
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Filipinos are excellent at adjustments and improvisation, managing to recreate their home, or to feel at home anywhere . <br />
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Filipinos have Pakiramdam (deep feeling/discernment) <br />
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We know how to feel what others feel, sometimes even anticipate what they will feel. Being manhid (dense) is one of the worst labels anyone could get and will therefore, avoid at all cost. We know when a guest is hungry though the insistence on being full is assured. We can tell if people are lovers even if they are miles apart. We know if a person is offended though he may purposely smile. We know because we feel. In our pakikipagkapwa (relating), we get not only to wear another man's shoe but also his heart. <br />
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We have a superbly developed and honored gift of discernment, making us excellent leaders, counselors and go-betweens.<br />
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Filipinos are very spiritual <br />
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We are transcendent. We transcend the physical world, see the unseen and hear the unheard. We have a deep sense of kaba (premonition) and kutob (hunch). A Filipino wife will instinctively feel her husband or child is going astray, whether or not telltale signs present themselves. <br />
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Filipino spirituality makes him invoke divine presence or intervention at nearly every bend of his journey Rightly or wrongly, Filipinos are almost always acknowledging, invoking or driving away spirits into and from their lives. Seemingly trivial or even incoherent events can take on spiritual significance and will be given such space or consideration. <br />
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The Filipino has a sophisticated, developed pakiramdam . The Filipino, though becoming more and more modern (hence, materialistic) is still very spiritual in essence. This inherent and deep spirituality makes the Filipino, once correctly Christianized, a major exponent of the faith.<br />
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Filipinos are timeless <br />
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Despite the nearly half-a-millennium encroachment of the western clock into our lives, Filipinos - unless on very formal or official functions - still measure time not with hours and minutes but with feeling. This style is ingrained deep in our psyche. Our time is diffused, not framed. Our appointments are defined by umaga (morning), tanghali ( noon ), hapon (afternoon) or gabi (evening). Our most exact time reference is probably tanghaliang-tapat (high noon), which still allows many minutes of leeway. That is how Filipino trysts and occasions are timed: there is really no definite time. <br />
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A Filipino event has no clear-cut beginning nor ending. We have a fiesta , but there is bisperas (eve), A day after the fiesta is still considered a good time to visit. The Filipino Christmas is not confined to December 25th; it somehow begins months before December and extends up to the first days of January. <br />
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Filipino say good-bye to guests first at the head of the stairs, then down to the descamo (landing), to the entresuelo (mezzanine), to the pintuan (doorway), to the tarangkahan (gate), and if the departing persons are to take public transportation, up to the bus stop or bus station. <br />
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In a way, other people's tardiness and extended stays can really be annoying, but this peculiarity is the same charm of Filipinos who, being governed by timelessness, can show how to find more time to be nice, kind, and accommodating than his prompt and exact brothers elsewhere. <br />
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Filipinos are Spaceless <br />
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As in the concept of time, the Filipino concept of space is not numerical. We will not usually express expanse of space with miles or kilometers but with feelings in how we say malayo (far) or malapit (near). Alongside with numberlessness, Filipino space is also boundless. Indegenous culture did not divide land into private lots but kept it open for all to partake of its abundance. <br />
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The Filipino has avidly remained "spaceless" in many ways. The interior of the bahay-kubo (hut) can easily become receiving room, sleeping room, kitchen, dining room, chapel, wake parlor, etc. Depending on the time of the day or the needs of the moment. The same is true with the bahay na bato (stone house).Space just flows in to the next space that the divisions between the sala , caida , comedor or vilada may only be faintly suggested by overhead arches of filigree <br />
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In much the same way, Filipino concept of space can be so diffused that ones party may creep into and actually expropriate the street! A family business like a sari-sari store or talyer may extend to the sidewalk and street. Provincial folks dry palayan (rice grain) on the highways! Religious groups of various persuasions habitually and matter-of-factly commandeer the streets for processions and parades. It is not uncommon to close a street to accommodate private functions, Filipinos eat. sleep , chat, socialize, quarrel, even urinate, nearly everywhere or just anywhere! <br />
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"Spacelessness," in the face of modern, especially urban life, can be unlawful and may really be counter-productive. On the other hand, Filipino spacelessness, when viewed from his context, is just another manifestation of his spiritually and communal values. Adapted well to today's context, which may mean unstoppable urbanization, Filipino spacelessness may even be the answer and counter balance to humanity's greed, selfishness and isolation. <br />
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So what makes the Filipino special? <br />
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We are brown, spiritual, timeless, spaceless, linguists, groupists, weavers, adventurists. Seldom do all these profound qualities find personification in a people. Filipinos should allow - and should be allowed - to contribute their special traits to the world-wide community of men - but first, we should know and like ourselves. <br />
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From the Special issue of Light Touch Magazine, vol. 8 number 3, Copyright 2004, Glad Tidings Publication <br />
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5) Respect your traffic officer, policeman and soldier.- RESPECT ANYONE WORKING FOR THE PEOPLE AND HONOR OUR KABABAYANS.<br />
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6) Do not litter. Dispose your garbage properly. Segregate. Recycle. Conserve.<br />
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7) Support your church.- GIVE AT LEAST 10% OF YOUR INCOME, SALARY, COMMISSION, PAY(ANY MONEY THAT GETS INTO YOUR POCKET) TO CHURCH AND A SMALL PORTION TO ANY CAUSE/S YOU BELIEVE IN. THIS IS ONE WAY TO PROSPER FINANCIALLY. EVEN IF YOU ONLY RECEIVE 1 PESO. MANAGE THAT PESO WELL AND IT WILL GROW.<br />
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8) During elections, do your solemn duty.- PRAY FOR THE CANDIDATES AND VOTE FOR THOSE WHOM YOU FEEL CAN DO THE JOB WELL. NOT ONLY BECAUSE THEY ARE POPULAR.<br />
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9) Pay your employees well.- FAIR TRADE AND LABOR. IN SHORT, GIVE THEM MORE THAN WHAT THE GOVERNMENT MANDATES.<br />
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10) Pay your taxes.<br />
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11) Adopt a scholar or a poor child.<br />
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12) Be a good parent. Teach your kids to follow the law and love our country.- DO NOT SEND THEM AWAY TO COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ABROAD FOR SO LONG THAT THEY FORGET WHO THEY ARE AND TURN THEIR BACK AWAY FROM WHAT THEIR COUNTRY IS LIKE TOGETHER WITH ITS CULTURE AND BEAUTY.<br />
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In summary, this would be an enlightening read which was sent to me by a friend and fellow OFW way back in 2004, <a href="http://www.meetup.com/businessandentrepreneurs/files/">just click on this link</a> or if it does not work click on the link below:<br />
<a href="http://www.meetup.com/businessandentrepreneurs/files/">http://www.meetup.com/businessandentrepreneurs/files/</a><br />
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It’s a big challenge for all of us Filipinos (wherever we may be) to do something. We are helpless on our own. We cannot trust ourselves not even our own intelligence. We need someone higher than us. We need Christ. Let us surrender our lives and our country to Christ and do something.<br />
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Now, what would be your next step?<br />
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Written by Eunice <br />
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<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/q7Nl-Ij_zYo?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/q7Nl-Ij_zYo?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>yunesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05708369387553951067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935145258258915433.post-72543934095207676782010-10-03T07:13:00.001+01:002010-10-03T07:15:45.208+01:00Cebu Pacific Dancing FA's, Price Wars and the Gaya Gaya Mentality: What does it have to do with the Spa, Massage Clinic and Wellness Center Business/ Profession?<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/q7Nl-Ij_zYo?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/q7Nl-Ij_zYo?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
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Cebu Pacific Dancing FA's, Price Wars and the Gaya Gaya Mentality: What does it have to do with the Spa, Massage Clinic and Wellness Center Business/ Profession?<br />
by Eunice<br />
Whenever I travel, I would first window shop: I log online and shop for airline tickets, accommodations and tours. I shop from one travel agent to another, from airlines through their website, through their offices at the malls and compare them with two of my miles membership cards. It takes a week or so to finally come up with something that fits my needs. I found out that whatever you do, there will always be someone who will be willing to cut their price to gain business from us (the consumers). The irony of it is that once we have already bought something, we will find out that there will always be a cheaper alternative or a promo somewhere. That goes the same in almost all industry types and the spa, massage centers, fitness centers and wellness center business is not an exception. Nung hindi pa nauuso ang pag-pa-pa-spa, it was only for the elite and the socialites, while massage therapy naman was seen in a bad light and a not so wholesome or healthy connotation and the wellness centers are just for health freaks. Noon yun- iba na ngayon (That was before, now it’s different). Ever since spas sprouted like mushrooms, the spa owners and the people in the industry were taken aback by the rampant cost cutting of clients therefore more and more spas joined the band wagon of cutting their prices- and as you well know, maraming spas, massage clinics and wellness centers na nag slash ng kanilang service and retail prices. Pababaan ng presyo. As a result, maraming spas na nagsara. Hindi naging lucrative para sa marami ang negosyo but let’s take a look at the deeper aspect of price wars. The unseen, the invisible side to price wars and the Gaya-gaya system and how we can come up with some solutions.<br />
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Bakit ba may gaya-gaya system? At price wars? Ang sabi ng Wikipedia and I quote: “Price war is a term used in economic sector to indicate a state of intense competitive rivalry accompanied by a multi-lateral series of price reduction. One competitor will lower its price, then others will lower their prices to match. If one of them reduces their price again, a new round of reductions starts. In the short-term, price wars are good for consumers, who can take advantage of lower prices. Often they are not good for the companies involved. The lower prices reduce profit margins and can threaten their survival. In the medium to long term, they can be good for the dominant firms in the industry. Typically, the smaller, more marginal, firms cannot compete and must close. The remaining firms absorb the market share of those that have closed. The real losers then, are the marginal firms and their investors. In the long term, the consumer may lose too. With fewer firms in the industry, prices tend to increase, sometimes higher than before the price war started.”<br />
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There are several business and economic causes of price wars and gaya-gaya system. One deeply rooted cause is that one wants a market share that the other business has. One business wants what the other business (the competitor) has. People jump to the bandwagon because of money, profits and a share of the pie without real knowledge of the business. Basta hilig lang but it’s not enough. Passion is not enough to sustain a business operation. It takes wise business decisions, amongst other things. Last year, in one of my speaking engagements, I was invited to speak to a group of spa owners and students of massage and wellness about spa operations and management in the beautiful province of Tarlac and one of the questions a spa owner asked me was: what is the solution for price wars and the gaya-gaya mentality of Filipinos? I honestly told them that there is no silver bullet to this problem. There’s only the option to choose the ways that are much less damaging to spa, massage clinics and wellness centers owners than dropping their prices. If price is the problem, the first choice is to add value before dropping price. Anong ibig sabihin ng adding value? Instead of giving a discount, give them a free add-on or an additional time for a certain service. Halimbawa, they purchased a service equal to $100 or 5,000 Pesos give them a free 15-minute trial back and head massage. They have had the experience, and they might avail of the back and head massage next time. Sa spa business kasi dapat you have to sell the experience do not sell the price lagi. The next is to ensure, beyond a shadow of a doubt, any promotional rate is fenced properly. What are fences? Fences are tactics applied to rates to prevent one segment of demand from buying down into the next. In broad terms, there are four types of fences:<br />
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1. Product fences: Limit the offer to certain retail types.<br />
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2. Availability fences: Offer better deals on high end services and products. We see these promotions constantly. e.g. pay for five massage, get seven, et cetera.<br />
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3. Customer fences: Limit the offer to repeat/loyal clients as a reward.<br />
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4. Transaction fences: Provide a restricted booking window for a service over a specific period of time. e.g. pro-bono services should be done on slow time slots and not on weekends.<br />
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Of course, there are a lot of things naman (aside from those mentioned above) that we can do to reduce the effect of price wars and the gaya-gaya system. But there is something that we can personally do in order to minimize price wars and the gaya-gaya system. Let us now go into the invisible causes, effects and probable solution/s to the price wars and gaya-gaya system.<br />
I think the basic thing one should ask oneself BEFORE one would enter the spa, massage or wellness industry is: if this is the kind of job that I’m going to be satisfied with and be really good at? Is this something I want to be doing five or ten years or even twenty years from now? If you are a massage or spa therapist who longs to start your own business, you have to be certain that this is the job that fits the way God has designed you to function and in the same fundamental way, it should satisfy your desire for contribution that God has planted in your head through your talents and skills and cultivated in your heart through your passion and interest. If you dream of becoming a spa owner someday: You have to know how to be a good worker before becoming a great boss. You have to know your numbers. You have to know how to read financial statements. You have to know how to carve your own niche in the sea of competitors. And a whole lot of things. Maraming dapat matutunan. Hindi yung basta basta na lang magtatayo ng negosyo na walang kaalam- alam sa pagpapa takbo nito.<br />
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It’s a tragedy when I hear about several business people who have already put up their own spa, massage clinic or wellness center tapos walang nangyari after three years. It’s equally disastrous for a person who wants to go into business and loves to do what they are doing yet, they do not want to earn from it. Bakit? God wants to bless you through your talents. Of course, not everything can have monetary value but consider the possibility of earning from what you love to do. God is a productive God, He wants us to earn from what we love to do. Hindi masama yun. Even God sent His Son to pay for our debt and He paid for us to be free from hell. Lahat may bayad. Everything has a trade-off maybe not always with monetary value but in some other thing. Tragic din if you are trapped (for whatever reason) in a work that you are not interested in. I had a former staff in a European hotel destination spa, we will just call her Aileen and back home in the Philippines, she told her parents that she was working in a hospital as a physical therapist. IN reality, she’s not she’s working in a spa as a spa therapist. Although she is a PTRP, Physical Therapist Republic of the Philippines, a designation for Registered Physical Therapist Licensed by our government. So, for the whole contract year she was rumbling how she does not like her job and how she does not enjoy it. Several ways to know that you are really not called for what you are doing are: you do not have interest in it, you do not enjoy what you are doing, you are bored to death, you feel like you are a prisoner and that work is a daily grind, your soul is searching for the feeling of freedom, you do not take pride in what you do and somehow, you do not feel satisfied. Imagine investing 8 hours a day, 5 days a week or 50 weeks a year- 80 thousand hours over a working life span of 40 years or so. All in a job that you do not enjoy nor care for or that does not fit you. That’s a big waste of life! And it’s not a good advertising for the originator of the whole idea of work either. This is lack of stewardship of being who God made you to be and accomplished what He’s put in your heart to accomplish. Importante rin that you discover your own calling in this wonderful industry of spa, massage, beauty and wellness, hindi pwedeng lahat spa manager, hindi puwedeng lahat maging spa owner, hindi pwedeng lahat maging massage therapist. We all have special gifts and no one is an exception. I was in a struggle a lot of times because I am torn by several lovers: the love for teaching, the love for writing, sharing my thoughts, travel and the love for the practice. I always have to think that there are people who are really gifted with their hands at saludo ako sa kanila dahil mas magagaling sila kaysa sa akin in that area. Come to think of it, there are a lot of gifted hands that are better than mine that is why I did not concentrate on something that I am not excellent at. Alam kong mas maraming magagaling na trainers, massage therapists and spa therapists kaysa sa akin. I have colleagues and friends in the industry who are excellent in what they do including Rommel Martinez, Hadjii Crespo, Alex Bulaton, Faye Rapio and many others. It’s important that we discover our own calling, the place of work in which your design: talents, skills, abilities, background, etc. comes together with your desire to form a motivated platform: school, pulpit, office, internet, online, etc. from which you represent the values of your Creator.<br />
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First and foremost, realize that our pursuit for the right type of business, profession, work or career will be empty without God. But when we turn to Him, when we make the fundamental decision to center our existence in a relationship with our loving Creator, then and only then does our life take on Purpose and our work have the potential to bring joy and satisfaction. Finding the right business or profession begins with a vital relationship with God, our Maker. Then make it your purpose to be God’s person in this world. <br />
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Secondly, if you have already committed your business/ profession to Jesus Christ, then trust the desires, the blue print of your personality that God has given you. I believe that no one on this Earth was born identical (not even twins have the same DNA), we all have different calling. A different gift for each of us. Some have similarities but all are different in some way. Because we are acting on what is natural for us, God will also move in our lives. Kung natural sa iyong magaling kang magmasahe eh di aralin mo ang ating katutubong masahe hindi lang ang Swedish massage. Ibahagi mo iyon sa iba sa pamamagitan ng pagmamasahe sa kanila. Ibahagi mo rin ito sa iyong kapwa na walang pagmamalaki o pagdadamot. Look for your natural abilities and cultivate on them, learn as much as you could and be a general in your field. Meaning, be very good at it. Know yourself, ika nga. To know yourself, is the process of discovering who you are and what you have to offer that will benefit others. So you can be a better steward of the way God has made us. Dapat alamin mo saan ka magaling at lalo mo pang pagalingin ang sarili mo sa paggawa ng mga bagay na natural na magaling ka. Saan ba magaling ang iyong spa? Depende yan sa galing ng spa staff mo. Ano ba ang unique sa spa services mo? What can you offer that others cannot? Kasi pag alam natin ito, hindi na natin kailangan pang mag copy cat or mag price wars kasi ang isang spa ay iba sa isa at iba-iba ang mga ino-offer ng isang spa kaysa sa iyo. Of course, hindi naman masama if we copy whatever is good from what we have learned from others BUT do not lose sight of your own gifts na ginagaya mo na ang lahat sa iba at wala ng self-identity and sariling branding ang iyong spa, massage clinic or wellness center. Remember that the more people that offers your type of services or product, the lower the value and the lower the price points. If you are offering Swedish, Thai and Shiatsu massage which are common in more than a thousand spas all over your area, do not expect to get paid a premium price for it. The more rare your service or product is, the better it is for you because you create value for what you do. Isang recent example ay yung ginagawa ng SM malls with their sales staff have implemented ways to make shopping more enjoyable like dancing, clapping and attentive sales ladies. Pati yung ginagawa ngayon ng Cebu Pacific with their dancing flight attendants. I am not saying it is right or wrong. Hindi natin pinaguusapan yun. Ang pinaguusapan natin dito is yung uniqueness of your service and the value you create. If it’s fun then it’s fun. We all have different tastes, likes and dislikes. But, those passengers who are already bored with the usual routine of safety features (which only a few listens to) can also enjoy the ride. <br />
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Third, we have to offer our true self to God and to others. Only in offering our true self, do we have anything to offer. You cannot give or sell what you do not have. All you can actually give is who you are created to be. Kung gaya-gaya ka sa iba na hindi naman yun ang talent mo, magiging second class lang ang gagawin mo. Kaya kung mag nenegosyo ka at gagaya-gaya ka lang sa iba, magiging second class lang ang negosyo mo. Mananatiling maliit. Mananatili kang nag-iisa. Whatever else you try to offer, will not, in the long run, be much of a contribution. Kasi nga hindi natural sa iyo yun. Plus, in giving out a false image of yourself will result in burnout, boredom and will drain you and dwarf others. Kaya napaka raming boss, amo, manager na hindi effective dahil hindi nila calling yun. They are draining themselves while dwarfing others. Can we not realize that if we are not in our rightful position then our rightful place is empty? If you would always aim at someone else’s target market, you will lose sight of your own. Let your business and profession be a product of yourself. Be yourself and those who notice would want some of it. Eventually, there will be a ripple of effect.<br />
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How do we know that we are in our rightful position? We have peace of mind and we have joy even if we encounter problems and discouragements. God has a mission for all of us: we simply have different platforms and areas for which we can grow.<br />
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Last but not the least, we should decide, plan and take action. That may mean starting and completing that business plan, taking that examination you need, reading more books about your area, mingling with others, asking for help from those who came before you, setting a deadline, baguhin ang mga spa services mo at maghanap ng mga services na different sa iba, etc. Do not just hear, read and do nothing, act on something one day at a time towards your dream. On the other side of the coin, study, learn from where you are right now. It only means you have common sense and are serious about it. It does not mean you are weak or intimidated. It just means you’re smart. So take your time, but don’t take too long.<br />
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Finally, Colossians 3:23 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."<br />
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If God directs you to put up that spa, start that massage clinic or build that wellness center, however small- will be grand in the eyes of God. You are unique, you can be brilliant in what you do if you would only offer what you are (really) good at, who needs a gaya-gaya system and who needs to cut prices?<br />
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Beyond the Usual Tasks <br />
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By yunesa<br />
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Our usual tasks are light and its results beautiful<br />
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If we have eyes to see their shining ministry<br />
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The owner investor with his finances twined in the business<br />
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The contractor, carpenter, architect and engineer<br />
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Whose skilled hands built the infrastructure<br />
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Building a home for the business<br />
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The janitors and housekeeping staff<br />
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Working with brooms and vacuum cleaners<br />
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The manager who watches over and tends the needs of the business<br />
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The staff who performs hands-on, faces the clients everyday<br />
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Faithful to their partnership with God<br />
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These are the artisans of a business<br />
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And oh, the client, <br />
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with their needs and requests we should fulfill and satisfy<br />
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from which we draw the fuel for the business<br />
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For these are all great ministries and calling<br />
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They are all beautiful<br />
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If only one can see beyond the usual task.yunesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05708369387553951067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935145258258915433.post-54949235913664339572010-09-27T03:44:00.001+01:002010-09-29T11:51:50.450+01:00The Most Important Question<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/q7Nl-Ij_zYo?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/q7Nl-Ij_zYo?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
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I have always wondered about what moves people to start a spa, massage clinic or wellness center business? or to enter the profession as a massage therapist or a spa therapist? The Most Important Question to Ask Yourself before Entering or Starting Any Project or Endeavor is the Question of Why will I do this? Why will I start this business? Why will I enter this field? Because our why will determine our how’s. If your why is not enough for you to act, then no amount of how can make you move or take action. Kahit na simpleng simple lang ang mga dapat gawin para makamit mo ang iyong mga pangarap kung wala ka talagang “deep desire” na tinatawag, walang mangyayari. Hindi ka kikilos at hindi ka gagawa. We have a saying that goes “Kung gusto, may paraan, kung ayaw may dahilan” (If there is deep desire, there is a way if there is no desire, there are excuses” or “if there is a will, there is a way”). The Philippine culture is full of stories of the chivalry of men who loved deep enough that they are willing to cut woods, sing “harana” or give their lives, just to prove that his love is worthy of his beloved’s attention. “Malayo man, malapit din, pilit ka ring mararating, wag lamang masabi mong di kita ginigiliw.” Ika nga, Love will find a way. Because it really will. Because no matter how difficult a task is, if it is done with love, it seemingly is easy. Consider a young man carrying bamboo and bricks to bring to the house of his beloved as a gift to her parents or a woman having to wait for years for her beloved to return to her because of a promise- those are just examples of sacrifices that are difficult to bear if you do not love the person to whom you dedicate your efforts, but if you love the person enough, you will bear these sacrifices just to show how much you really care and will do it with passion and enthusiasm. But if you really don’t love that person, you will not lift a finger and will just find excuse after an excuse. You will not run out of excuses. Ganun din sa trabaho o sa negosyo, kung hindi mo talaga mahal ang trabaho at negosyo mo hindi ka gagawa ng mga bagay na mahirap at makakapag-pahirap sa iyo kahit pa madali yung gawin para sa iba.<br />
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There was this woman who was trapped in a burning three story-house. Below her, were two men who were shouting at her to jump and they will catch her. The first man was very muscular, athletic built and physically able to catch her but the other person, was thin, “lampayatot” (seemingly sickly) and was shouting out her name to jump. When the woman finally decided to jump, she jumped right through the arms of the second man, the one who was thin and considered “lampayatot”…why? Because he is her husband. She knows that whatever happens, her husband would not let her go and would save her even if he seems he does not look quite like it. She trusts her completely to know that deep inside her heart, she would whatever it takes to see her safe. That is how we should also see our God who is in Heaven. God found a way for us to be saved from all our transgressions. <br />
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That is also how we should view our decisions in life, it should be answered with your heart into it not just for love of profit or money that will come. The basic question to really answer is “why” am I doing what I am doing? Why will I do what I want to do? Why am I not doing what I am supposed to do? Why? Then after you have found your why’s- find a way or find ways to make your dream a reality. But first, answer your why…<br />
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And only you can answer.<br />
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Passion without action is not good enough -yunesayunesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05708369387553951067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935145258258915433.post-11936035254833555542010-09-12T13:15:00.000+01:002010-09-12T13:15:41.787+01:00The Principle of Multiplication in Spa, Massage Therapy and WellnessThe Principle of Multiplication in Spa, Massage Therapy and Wellness<br />
by Eunice<br />
<a href="mailto:yunesa@yahoo.com">yunesa@yahoo.com</a><br />
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The principle of multiplication is seen everyday, even in the field of spa, massage therapy, beauty and wellness. Sometimes, we Filipinos tend to look at business and earning money as something that is less honorable than other fields. We tend to shy away from asking what we rightfully deserve because of this mentality. So how do we apply the principle of multiplication in the spa, massage therapy and wellness profession or business?<br />
1. We ought to give more than what our spa and massage therapy clients gives us in monetary value. We get paid, but we give more of what they paid us both in quality and in service.<br />
2. We enter the spa, massage therapy and wellness field or industry with an open heart and mind because this will be a platform for more learning and mulitiplication of lessons learned from your experiences and the experience of others.<br />
3. We advertise truthfully, when we say 60 minutes of Swedish massage, it should be 60 minutes or 70 minutes not 50 minutes, not 45 minutes. We give more than what is expected of us not because we are paid for our services but because it's the right thing to do. By doing this, we multiply the number of persons who would like to be our clients and increase client loyalty.<br />
4. We register and comply with state, city and our country's laws and regulations regarding spa, massage therapy and wellness practices even if it's difficult and sometimes expensive to do so. We have to give what is due to "Ceasar" so our country will benefit from our profession and from our business. By this, we multiply the number of people who are law abiding rather than law breakers.<br />
5. We do not fight unfairly with our competitors. We are not copy cats nor do we wage price wars and destroy the quality of our services. We promote and refer competitors if we do not offer the services and multiply the number of goodwill clients coming our way.<br />
6. We are not cheapskates, we give fair compensation and remuneration to our spa and massage therapists so they can live decent lives and will not be pushed to doing something illegal and immoral. In the same way, we multiply the number of people who are willing to give and share to other staff as well.<br />
7. We invest in businesses that promotes health and wellbeing instead of stripping it away. We patronize businesses that will not only give us what we need but will do something good for others, the community and the environment. This creates goodwill and multiply the number of socially responsible business people.<br />
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There are thousands of ways in multiplying what God has given us. The parable of the talents gives us an example that it is very Godly to profit. <br />
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Matthew 24: 14-30 (and Luke 19:12-28)<br />
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14 For it is like a man going on a journey, who summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The one who had received five talents went off right away and put his money to work and gained five more. 17 In the same way, the one who had two gained two more. 18 But the one who had received one talent went out and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money in it. 19 After a long time, the master of those slaves came and settled his accounts with them. 20 The one who had received the five talents came and brought five more, saying, ‘Sir, you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 His master answered, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful in a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 The one with the two talents also came and said, ‘Sir, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more.’ 23 His master answered, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful with a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 Then the one who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Sir, I knew that you were a hard man, harvesting where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered, ‘Evil and lazy slave! So you knew that I harvest where I didn’t sow and gather where I didn’t scatter? 27 Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received my money back with interest! 28 Therefore take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten. 29 For the one who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.<br />
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We are the soil, we all bear fruits. Our fruits might be monetary, time we give to others, kindness and gratitude na sinusukli natin sa ating kapwa at marami pang iba. Just last Tuesday, we had a church feeding program for the homeless in Luneta (photos below) and I realized that we are not only on the giving end but we are always on the receiving end. Life is a life of balance: we inhale and we exhale, we give and we take, there is a left and a right, up and down- ano ang puwede nating ibigay sa hindi puwedeng magbigay? We have to multiply whatever good (seed) planted in us, helping and assisting others. So what returns do we give back to others who has done something good to us? or to those who needs our help? ano ang ating sinusukli or itinatanim?<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/q7Nl-Ij_zYo?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/q7Nl-Ij_zYo?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div>yunesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05708369387553951067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935145258258915433.post-85196109800593778412010-09-05T13:31:00.002+01:002010-09-05T13:47:23.010+01:00Tukneneng BrainTukneneng Brain<br />
by Eunice Estipona<br />
<a href="mailto:yunesa@yahoo.com">yunesa@yahoo.com</a><br />
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Tukneneng Brain says I am not in the mood to write my spa business plan<br />
Wisdom says I will do whatever it takes even if I am not in the mood<br />
Tukneneng Brain says I am sick and tired of working in the massage clinic<br />
Wisdom says I am committed to constantly learning and growing<br />
Tukneneng Brain says I do not like to go to the Meetup<br />
Wisdom says go out, have fun, bless others and enjoy life to the fullest<br />
Tukneneng Brain says "he is not good, she is bad and they are not good enough"- so who cares?<br />
Wisdom says bless those whom you hate<br />
Tukneneng brain says tomorrow, tomorrow...tomorrow.<br />
Wisdom says cease the moment, you only have today to look forward to<br />
Tukneneng brain spreads gossips, rumors and is resentful of the success of others<br />
Wisdom says cursing others is like drinking poison and expecting someone else to die.<br />
Tukneneng brain thinks like a crab<br />
Wisdom brain thinks like an eagle<br />
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So whom are we going to follow? The tukneneng brain or the wisdom that sets in?<br />
Everyday, we are faced with choices. Choices that can either have a positive effect or a negative effect on ourselves and others. Yesterday, I was with a bunch of energetic and talented group of youth (I love being with younger generations as I can so much learn from them as they learn from me) whose common ground is the love of music, as their event speaker, I imparted how our very own words, our thinking and attitude affects our lives- and the lives of others. Our thinking pattern influences our brain and thus, our actions. Our attitude either empowers us or disempowers us. <br />
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It all starts with either the tukneneng brain or the wisdom brain. It's your choice.<br />
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To live a healthier life: bless those whom you want to become, those whom you want to help and those who hate you -yunesa<br />
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<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/q7Nl-Ij_zYo?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/q7Nl-Ij_zYo?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>yunesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05708369387553951067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935145258258915433.post-16539844863219342722010-08-29T14:39:00.001+01:002010-08-29T14:48:53.333+01:00Major, Major Mistake to Avoid Before Starting a Business or Career in the Spa, Massage Therapy or Wellness IndustryMajor, Major Mistake to Avoid Before Starting a Business or Career in the Spa, Massage Therapy or Wellness Industry<br />
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By Eunice Estipona<br />
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There were two major, major incidents that happened in our country this past week. The first was a hostage crisis, a very saddening and scary incident. One which exposed lots of major, major flaws in the police system (even a child can easily detect that). The other was a light hearted moment where our very own, Bicolandia born lady became one of the top five candidates to be chosen at the Miss Universe pageant 2010. Although very different, both have one major, major lesson that we can all learn from. One major, major mistake to avoid before starting a business or career in the spa, massage therapy or wellness industry and that is in the area of preparation.<br />
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Preparation. Before you shell out capital for that spa business that you have been dreaming about, before enrolling in a massage training course, etc. what do you do? In last Monday’s hostage crisis, we have seen the lack of preparation from the police. In the spa, massage therapy and wellness industry, there are also a lot of emails I received from people who ventured into the career as a spa therapist or massage therapist or they entered the spa business without a clear understanding of what the spa business is all about. The 2nd Habit of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey says it well: begin with the end in mind. How do you prepare before you embark on this career or business? We all have different God-given abilities, you have to assess your passion, talents and skills not your kapitbahay (neighbor) not your kababata, not what anyone says, it has to begin with yourself. What does your heart say? As Dr. Robert Hartman said “Stop trying to put in what God left out and instead work with what He put in”. Ask yourself what would you want to do five or ten years from now then write them down (anything that is not written is not concrete). It does not end there this is just the beginning of preparing yourself. <br />
There are countless of ways to prepare. Get your mind to work and think with the end in mind by (I am just giving you a handful of ways to prepare): <br />
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1. Reading books and magazines<br />
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2. Attending Meetups (www.meetup.com/businessandentrepreneurs or www.meetup.com/philippinespaandwellness)<br />
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3. Attend seminars, trainings, workshops <br />
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4. Ask knowledgeable people who are experts in the field. Even if you have to pay for the expert’s advice, the knowledge that you gain will eventually be a wisdom that will set you apart from the vast pile of mediocrity. <br />
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5. Start preparing a career plan and/or a business plan. Start writing things down in a notebook, make lists of things to do, etc.<br />
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6. Act one day at a time, at least do something everyday to achieve your purpose. Especially if you feel overwhelmed by the many things to do. List them down and do something everyday to achieve your highest priority.<br />
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Enter the spa and wellness industry and get your beliefs to line up with what your true destiny is to live a more productive and happier life. More than ten years ago, when I started in this industry- I have not seen any book or advice to be successful or advise for this career but now, we have endless resources including people who are ready to help us- only if we know where to look.<br />
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In preparing oneself, you have to prepare mentally, emotionally, physically and last but not the least, financially. In Luke 14:28 it says, "For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it." What do you have to sacrifice and give up (emotionally, physically, mentally and financially) to be a financially successful spa owner, to be a massage/spa therapist, to be financially independent? Those are the costs you have to consider.<br />
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If you feel alone and down today, God will bring productivity out of a seemingly hopeless situation once you act in faith. Acting in faith is acting by doing your homework and due diligence. Take time but do not take too long. That is faith in action. Stop dismissing all the reasons why you cannot do something and begin to take action to put the resources in your hands and be able to advance to the next level of your goal. Once you prepare, God will provide all the resources you need to accomplish your dream and you’ll find yourself motivated to act and to activate your vision. <br />
As an old saying goes, “if you fail to plan, you plan to fail” So, Prepare. Prepare. Prepare. <br />
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God speed!<br />
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<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/q7Nl-Ij_zYo?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/q7Nl-Ij_zYo?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>yunesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05708369387553951067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935145258258915433.post-52812945557532648042010-08-22T16:06:00.001+01:002010-08-22T16:15:00.384+01:00Why? Your specifics....The Spa, Massage Therapy, Beauty and Wellness Blog by <a href="mailto:yunesa@yahoo.com">yunesa@yahoo.com</a><br />
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Why? Your specifics.....<br />
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When asked, how much do you charge? We, Filipinos are shy to state specifics, it is normal to hear the replies "bahala ka na" (it's up to you) or "kahit magkano" (any would do) one of the reason is because we are have an indirect culture. Eastern culture's language is very indirect as opposed to Western way of saying things. We shy away from money or asking money but when I attended a non-profit organization's fund raising workshop, a couple of days ago, I realized that in some areas, specific answers are needed and it works and at other times, it doesn't. It has it's positives and negatives. It goes on to say that who is asking is also important. But in every area of fund raising even for non-profits, they need specifics.<br />
When asked by a client of your fee/s. State the specifics.<br />
When asked how much. State specifics.<br />
When asked how many. State specifics.<br />
When asked how often. State specifics.<br />
When asked how much money you need. State specifics.<br />
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It also goes the same before embarking on any project or endeavor. It is important that we addess the specifics (yeah...and I would stress it again and say, it has to be specific answers NOT vague) on why we are doing such things. A specific answer should give the following detail/s: a number (monetary or time-wise) or range or duration, it should be brief but should outline your specific outcome, result, desire or goal or vision of things. Things that you should answer for yourself BEFORE and not during the project...<br />
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Why are you starting a business? <br />
Because I want to earn.- is vague. <br />
Because I want to earn at least 10,000 Pesos a month -is better because it will narrow down your focus to businesses that can at least earn you a minimum of 10,000 Pesos a month.<br />
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Why do you want to teach? <br />
Because I love teaching. - is vague. <br />
Because I want to share my skills, talents and abilities in the area of spa, massage therapy and wellness. -is better because you focus on areas for which you want to specialize in. In any profession, there are generalists and there are specialists. There is nothing wrong with being a generalist or a specialist but consider this: their earnings are also different from each other. Specialists are paid more than generalists.<br />
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Why do you want to start a spa, massage clinic or wellness center? <br />
Because I think its a good business.- is vague. <br />
How did you know it is really a good business? Have you done any pro-forma financials? until you have, you cannot say it's a good business.<br />
Because I love to get a massage, go to a spa or a wellness center. Although a good specific reason, it's not enough reason to start. In fact, this is one of the fatal reasons to start a spa business. Being a client is very different from being an owner. A client does not have to worry about staff ramblings, about monthly rentals and quotas- an owner assumes those responsibilities.<br />
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Why do you want to become a massage therapist? A spa therapist? A spa consultant?<br />
Because I want to work abroad is vague. <br />
Because I want to work abroad after two years, send money home and save for my retirement fund.- is better. But of course there are better reasons---- at least this reason is starting to get more specific. <br />
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Why do you want to volunteer?<br />
Because I wanted to. -is vague.<br />
Because I get my "highs" when I can see I am helping people in my own little way.- is better<br />
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By answering and writing down our why's, we will now see our flaws. What needs to be improved. We can dig deeper. Increase our thinking capacity. One thing that I have to learn and remind myself everyday. My whys should be specific....what are you whys?yunesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05708369387553951067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935145258258915433.post-63239070819095426032010-08-15T14:10:00.001+01:002010-08-15T14:14:27.392+01:00The Business of Innovation<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/q7Nl-Ij_zYo?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/q7Nl-Ij_zYo?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
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The Business of Innovation in the Spa, Massage Therapy, Beauty and Wellness Industry<br />
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Memory was something you might lose as you age older age...a sign of old age.<br />
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An application was used for employment <br />
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A program was a TV show <br />
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A cursor is a person using profane words<br />
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A keyboard was a piano <br />
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A web was a spider's home <br />
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A virus was any type of flu or that exhibits flu-like symptoms<br />
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A CD was a bank account: a cash deposit<br />
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A hard drive was a long trip on the road with traffic along the way<br />
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A mouse pad was where a mouse lives<br />
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and if you had a 3.5 inch floppy,<br />
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you just hoped nobody finds out. <br />
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Funny but so much has changed since the advent of the computer/digital age. We see progress, we see innovation in all aspects of our daily life: from the way we send cards to the way we conduct our businesses. From the way we view our careers to the way we live our daily lives. We have softwares to schedule our clients inside the spa, check our inventory or use bar code systems, know who was absent at what day and who among the staff is scheduled for a day off or a vacation (yes and maybe one of these days I can demonstrate some of these applications with the Meetup group that I organize). The netbook, the printer, scanner and lap top replaced the typewriter, the ebooks replaced books, email and e-cards replaced postal letters, envelopes, and the post, the phone book and rolodex replaced the address book. These are just amongst the other things that technology can help us with. <br />
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Last Saturday, after visiting the Fitness and Beauty trade show, I attended a Meetup group outside the Meetup group that I organize. It was composed of techie people. I have learned that even if I (and another Japanese lady who was out of place for the time being) was the only one who has a different field amongst all the others, we are still (a bit) in touch with technology. This blog for instance, has its foundation in communicating through technology. I might not understand what JAVA, Cloud, SAP means (amongst all the other technology terms that I have heard) but the nice thing about technology is that we do not have to understand the applications behind --as long as we can use it in our daily lives. Except for the high profile technology inventors, we do not even know who invented which and what. We can only thank God that it has reached our hands and we can use it. There are a lot of things we can use technology for and one of which is educating ourselves. We have to, at the very least adopt to the changing times, hindi yung ayaw na nating matuto mag-text or mag-email man lang. Hindi man lang alamin kung papano mg-FB. Kung ayaw nating matuto ng bago ano ng gagawin natin sa buhay? Life is a continuous learning experience. Kailangan mag invest din sa sarili by improving what we know. Do not go into the spa, massage therapy, beauty and wellness industry without doing your homework or performing due diligence including adopting to new and better ways of serving our clients through technology. <br />
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Here are some ways you could use technology in your spa, massage therapy, beauty and wellness career or business: <br />
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1. Use high technology machines to assist you in fighting cellulites, aging and other degenerative diseases. Attend trade shows in and outside the country even if you are on vacation. Whenever I go out of the country, I try to search for events for the country that I will be visiting and attend any seminar, workshops or trade shows that will be held during the time that I will visit. It adds up to my knowledge and my expertise. You will learn from the products, gadgets and services of others. I am not saying that you have to copy them but adopt what you think might be good and remove things that might not be suitable/ applicable for you. The bottomline here is to know the trends in the industry. <br />
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2. Use Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS) and Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale (EFTPOS) to speed up transactions in your spa, massage clinic or wellness center. EFTPOS means that prospective clients can pay for goods and services using credit and debit cards. <br />
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3. Use a website that will serve as your point of contact and sale. You can offer gift certificates online, special promotions and email subscribers using your website. Use it as an e-commerce website. E-commerce is the ability of businesses to trade with the world via websites. This means that there is a larger market and your spa, massage clinic or wellness center is now open 24 hours a day. <br />
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4. Lessen the use of paper, communication is improved through the use of the intranet and Internet. The intranet is an internal system of computer communication while the internet can be used to communicate with clients, suppliers amongst others in the outside world (through websites and email). Spa staff can work away from the office using mobile technology such as phones, laptops and modems. But a word of warning, do not use naman technology just to play games online or chat with others while you have no client. Use technology wisely. <br />
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5. Instead of advertising, use the Internet for recruitment purposes. You can post job vacancies online or using the Meetup message board and positions can be advertised and targeted to the right audience, often costing less than print alternatives. And it can be done for free at <a href="http://www.meetup.com/philippinespaandwellness">www.meetup.com/philippinespaandwellness</a> <br />
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<br />
and many more.... <br />
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However, the use of technology should be a balance between our needs and practicality. Use it to be more effeicient, better and be able to focus on things that machines and computers cannot do. If the benefits outweighs the cost, then consider in investing in technology. We can just hope that technology can complement and ease our lives rather than burden it. <br />
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The more high-tech we become, the more high-touch we need -yunesayunesahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05708369387553951067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1935145258258915433.post-42422958903935263542010-08-08T14:30:00.000+01:002010-08-08T14:30:49.746+01:00An Investment You Should Not MissThe Spa, Massage Therapy, Beauty and Wellness Blog<br />
by Eunice<br />
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Last Tuesday, my father and I visited an older cousin's husband in a hospital. The last time I saw him was way back when I was in high school, some twenty years ago. Manong Gener, as I fondly call him, was in his mid-thirties and was driving their new Toyota Corrolla. It was a very long drive I suppose, because he started puffing his cigarettes when they arrived. From Las Pinas to the Fairview area of Novaliches. From South area to North- just imagine a drive of two and a half hours--- if the traffic is good. He also used to drink beer and liquor a lot, he along with most of the many relatives that I knew are more than social drinkers. Believe me, socialization is part and parcel of every occasion since birthdays, weddings, infant baptisms and baby showers, debut, anniversaries and of course who can forget Christmas time....they are all common occasions. Even a funeral is an event for bonding of long lost relatives and again a time to eat, drink beer and drink to their heart's content. Something that until now, I don't quite understand why they do people drink a lot of beer even if it tastes bitter? On side note, I remember experimenting and drinking beer with my sister when we were in Elementary, long ago and we both laughingly sipped a tiny bit which made my world swirl. But alas, I forgot about that experience and just a couple of years back when I was in the Balkans, I remember when my good friend and a great German chef, Falk announced his engagement to another good friend of mine, Andrijana. Upon announcement, they arranged for a toss of champagne, I was thinking to myself that champagne isn't beer- so I sipped less than 1 ml from that champagne glass. But the effect was too much. I have to excuse myself for the whole day and our hotel's GM that time, Hubert Eikel, asked me to rest in our employee lounge. I was too dizzy to work. Everything was swirling. Good thing they understood my situation although they were all laughing at me. But from that time on, I knew that I wasn't cut to drink even a sip. So whenever we hang out around, I order orange juice or chai (tea) especially during winter. <br />
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In Philippine setting and Filipinos gatherings, most often than not any form of gathering (except in a very few instances like ours) consists of a lot of food and beer. Cases and cases of beer....(if you know what I mean). Coming from a family also where tuba is common - Mr. Tuba is also present most of the time. That Tuesday, I felt worried and hurt in my heart as I see my 58 year old relative in a sick bed and in pain due to kidney problem (he has been on dialysis every week for the past month). We prayed for his speedy recovery and meanwhile, I realized that in order for a person to reach a long and satisfying healthful life- we also have to plan and act upon healthy regimen. This consists of doing things that are commonly overlooked but medically proven to be healthy: no smoking or puffing of cigarettes, do not allow yourself to be drunk or drink alcohol more than you can take, eat a balanced diet, exercise, do not carry any emotional baggage like: do not harbor hatred, be forgiving of yourself and others, etc. There are no guarantees but if we neglect to take care of these things when we are young our chances of suffering from diseases, ailments and emotional problems in the future will be higher than those that did take care of their body, soul and mind. Prayer also helps a lot because when others cannot listen, God can. He is not limited by distance or even time. Another topic which we can discuss next time.<br />
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Which comes to mind a 50+ year old doctor that we have met just yesterday, he looks like he is in his 28-35 years old and Cecile and I can't believe our eyes. He really looks 20- 25 years younger than his age. His secret? Hehe....next time folks.....<br />
In the meantime, give yourself a break, invest in yourself before investing in your business or any entrepreneurial endeavor, do something healthy for yourself this week. Start ten things you need to do and if you are having a difficult time, start with listing one or two things that you would do for yourself and your health. Start them this week. Let me know how you felt about it and how it went. I would like to connect with people who are in this for the long haul and support you. It maybe the urging desire to jog, to go to a gym, to give up that cola addiction, to stop eating red meat, to go to a spa, to seek help and advice from health professionals- anything that adds value for your health. Do it now. Before it's too late. It's an investment you have to make for you and your family and your future.<br />
Your daily health rituals yesterday and today will determine your future's quality of life- yunesa<br />
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------This blog article is written by: Eunice Estipona a spa consultant, mentor, advisor, speaker and lecturer. One of her advocacies is to make healing and information regarding the field of spa, massage and wellness accessible and affordable to everyone. If you are serious about turning your business or practice around, making the right decisions, getting an unbiased opinion and knowing where to get help, for lectures and other concerns she can be contacted at yunesa@yahoo.com or +639184745685. To find out how she can help you take your business to the next level, visit her site at <a href="http://www.meetup.com/philippinespaandwellness">http://www.meetup.com/philippinespaandwellness</a><br />
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These along with hundreds of resources found locally and abroad are contained in “The Spa, Massage and Wellness Resource and Career Book”, the first book of resource information to know more about the Spa, Massage and Wellness Industry in the Philippines and other countries including the United States, Australia and other Asian countries. You can view, read, download and print for FREE the book’s summary at this link <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/6425282/About-the-Book-Spa-Massage-and-Wellness-Resource-Guide-and-Career-Book">http://www.scribd.com/doc/6425282/About-the-Book-Spa-Massage-and-Wellness-Resource-Guide-and-Career-Book</a><br />
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If you are a spa, massage therapy and wellness information seeker the resources contained in the book for you. This book is a collection of data and valuable information regarding the spa and massage industry in a global perspective with a focus on the Philippines. Her advocacy in writing the book is to make “unbiased” information regarding the field of spa, massage and wellness resources and career, accessible and affordable for everyone. If you are considering a career in the massage, spa and wellness industry, this book will prepare you and give you a glimpse of what it is like, the preparation you need to take: emotionally, intellectually and financially. In this book, you will learn more details in the spa and massage field and the possible paths you can take. You will also learn about local and international training programs offered and numerous employment possibilities. Giving you much needed information at your fingertips. You can order it from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/">http://www.amazon.com/</a><br />
or for local Philippine residents, you can email and get in touch with Eunice at <a href="mailto:yunesa@yahoo.com">yunesa@yahoo.com</a><br />
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