That Big Flat Screen TV!

I read from Brian Tracy's CREATE YOUR OWN FUTURE, that one of the main difference of the RICH and the POOR is what they have in their houses. Of course, everyone would say this to be true. I mean, come on? It's like common sense, right? Of course, you would say, what the rich have, the poor cannot afford.. Actually, it's not what you think. Believe me!


Brian Tracy said that when you enter a rich man's house, you would realize that they have a LIBRARY of books that they actually do read. If not a library, they would have a sturdy shelf of a collection of books, mainly about self improvement, getting rich and personality development. And what would you see in a poor man's house, yup, you got it! The biggest television they could afford! Or buy on credit for that matter.


Now, I'm not saying TV is bad. I watch TV, too. But the rich and wealthy people, they spend time to better themselves. As they say, what you will become in the next five years will depend on the books you read and the people you associate with. So did those rich guys bought the books after they get rich? or before they get rich? The answer is obvious, they read the books first, applied them, and the results, as we see it now, are evident.


A friend of mine, just came back from Paris, and the most amazing thing he shared was that in Paris, almost everyone is seen reading a book, whether it be in a cafe, or along the River Seine, or in a park. And here's more, there is hardly any TV in each house he was able to visit. Now, France, is not a poor country, and yet these people opt to buy books, rather than TV. France is the home of one of the best arts, literature, building structures and great food. Their practically geniuses, why? You know the answer, because they love to read.


Here in our country, how many people read? How many people list down that big flat screen TV on sale, on their TO BUY list? See the difference? You decide. That book or the TV? I'll leave you that choice, now if you'll excuse me, I'll just finish reading my book. 


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Caren Kate Cu
Life and Business Coach
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YOU and Your Life's Purpose!

Rich people think big. Poor people think small.


What is your life's purpose? For majority of people, either we are too busy to even think of our purpose or we may be spending some time now thinking, why are we really here on earth. This may seem like too much of a serious thing for others, but really, we are not here living just so that we experience life. We are here because there is a reason.


There is no higher purpose than service to others. Whether you choose to be a writer who share and inspire; or a doctor who heals; or a soldier who fights for peace; or a teacher who trains the next generation; a businessman who provides jobs; or anybody for that matter, the real measure of success is in how many people you have touched and how much value have you given to others.


Have you asked yourself lately? How much value have I given with what I am currently doing? How much people have I inspired to change for the better? According to T. Harv Eker, "Your life is not just about you. It's also about your contributing to others. It's about living true to your mission and reason for being here on this earth at this time. It's about adding your piece of the puzzle to the world. Most people are so stuck in their egos that everything revolves around me, me and more me. But if you want to be rich in the truest sense of the world, it can't only be about you. It has to include adding value to other people's lives."


Many people would say that one should serve according to one's capacity. That if one can give this much only, at least he has given something. I really have nothing against this, I am glad that one is ready to give a part of themselves. All I am saying is that, your playing small does not serve the world. If you love to help your community, think of helping the whole nation as well. If you want to help this group of people, think of also helping the other groups. If you want to help improve the life of one person, why not make it a hundred people. Never limit your capacity to help and empower people thinking that is what you are only capable of. In everything, learn to always think big. You may be called crazy, but it's the crazy ones who end up changing the world.


Discover your purpose. Never settle for anything not bigger that yourself, remember, it is not just about you.


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Caren Kate Cu
Life & Business Coach
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I fell in love in Club Paradise, Coron, Palawan!

Just a few good hours ago, I was sitting in a rattan weaved reclining chair, a handful of great friends and business partners, white pristine beach in an island a few miles away from civilization, watching thousands of fruit bats flying to a certain direction. The wind was blowing in my hair, the crisp sea breeze was almost singing me too sleep. We were waiting for CA2020's exclusive beach-front buffet dinner and a talented trio band to sing us while we eat. I was telling myself, this is the kind of life everyone should be living. A perfect place to fall in love.

A few hours before that, we were on our way to Calamian Islands. On a van, I was discussing with a fellow CA2020 Coach how wonderful our country is. It is so beautiful, a great number of untouched natural resources, amazing people but is yet to be developed. We were riding through cattle farms and dirt roads. There weren't much vehicles, only the usual local motorcycles and vans full of tourists. I told myself, after so many years, why have we not fully developed these wonderful places yet?

The answer was a bit uncomforting. I realized that people become well trained in looking out only for themselves. When they see that nothing is happening in where they are right now, they tend to move on to another place, find a greener pasture and hope that everything goes well. Sadly, a lot of people does the uprooting, rooting and uprooting again and again without much of an improvement or change. It becomes a vicious cycle that along the way, you forget where you are heading anymore. I have nothing against OFW's. In fact, I love them. If not for them, the country's economy would be in turmoil. But I can't help myself feel that sometimes people becomes too selfish. We go to another country to find our luck there. We say that we are doing it for our family, which is admirable, but doing that only helps ourselves. This may be a little bit out of proportion for most people, but what if, JUST WHAT IF, more people would stay, develop themselves so that they would know how to develop the place, which in turn will develop the lives of the many others inhabiting it. Instead of leaving a place because they believe that it is hopeless, they find ways to make it a better one. Working abroad, or finding a great company to work for is okay, if you are only doing it for yourself and your family. But if you care enough to see beyond the world of your family, have you ever thought of actually making a difference?

The normal tendency of people is to leave when everything seems tough already. They never thought that they are having a hard time because, possibly, they are doing the wrong things to get something done. If people are willing, not just to learn, but to develop, First World Philippines is not a not far cry anymore. This country has so much to offer, and yet it is sad that majority of Filipinos cannot see it. Staying in Club Paradise made me realize how many great things, Filipinos are missing. Foreigners pay a great amount of money just to see our wonderful places. Why can't we do that as well, and the answer was right in front of me. Not everyone has that "great amount of money". You can go to Palawan on a cheap budget. In fact, you can go anywhere else as a backpack traveler. But I assure you, once you have experienced first class, you are never coming back to wanting to live it cheap. This is one of the reasons why I wanted being an Entrepreneur. I hated living within or below my means, I try as much to expand it. We are the only Filipinos in the resort (there are more if you include the staff and crew), I find it disturbing that people are more proud to travel abroad than see what this country has to offer. Do not get me wrong, I love traveling abroad. I have been to a couple of countries that I would recommend you to visit, but what always struck me was that when we are in a beautiful place, people would say "And ganda, parang wala tayo sa Pilipinas..." 

Now, back in Manila. I dream that people would see that there is still to be done here in our country. It may take some time, but it is very much doable. If only there were more people, instead of leaving the country and find their success there, they would find ways to make our country better. There is nothing wrong with wanting to see the world. But to believe that the Philippines does not have a chance to improve anymore, isn't that a little bit unforgivable? To even say "Wala ng mangyayari satin sa Pilipinas" is unacceptable for me. Not everyone is up for this challenge, I know that. Because not everyone is willing to change the world. Most would rather use their time complaining and seeing the negativities rather than what is impossible. Going abroad is very difficult. I should know, I have a lot of friends and family members out there. If we are doing something difficult, why not do something that could benefit, not just you and your family, but the whole country as well?

I fell in love with our country even more, in my three days in Palawan. There is nothing like first class accommodation and service. I saw the inner beauty of the Philippines that most of us cannot see because we are only focused on how corrupt or government is, and how hard it it to live the life that we wanted here. Isn't it a little bit unfair to our country? You are judging it without even knowing our own country. I am staying, not because there isn't something much better, there probably is. But when you love, you see beyond the facade or the usual things that we see. We go beyond what is really there. And even if there is another beauty being presented to you, you admire, but you can never love it as much.

I love the Philippines. I love the people, the places, the culture, the food, and the things that it has yet to offer. There is so many things to be done still. It may be difficult, because only the brave can love as much, and do whatever it takes. Take a risk, find it in your heart to love this country again. Because no matter how many times you leave this country, you know that you will always come back. This is HOME. We might as well give it the love that it deserves. Why don't we do everything we can so that we can enjoy being here in the Philippines, the first class way. Are you with me?

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Caren Kate Cu

Life & Business Coach

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Ang MRT, si Ashley, ang babaeng nakapula at ang Pilipinas!

I was riding the MRT (yes, the train), my usual commute to our seminar on one of my volunteer day. It could have been another one of those usual days except for two amazing passengers that left me so overwhelmed with the experience. I was standing facing a lady in red, she was seated but kept on looking at someone or something at my back. I really didn't gave it much attention but then she suddenly stood up and went to the other side. I, on the other hand, felt thankful for the seat that obviously was left for me to take. When I took the seat, I finally saw what she was seeing. It was Ashley (I heard the child's name when the lady in red asked for it), and I couldn't explain how I felt. She was barely two years old, yet her body was so frail and weak because of her sickness. Her skin looks as if it was just healing from burns with so many fresh wounds all over. She has bandages here and there and her eyes is suffering from slight blindness. What struck me the most was what the lady in red did (up to now I kept telling myself I should have asked for her name), she asked with compassion the mother of the child about Ashley and her illness, and then she reached for her wallet and gave the mother some money, along with her contact number and told the mother to call her, if ever she needs anything. The mother told us that they live in Pampangga, and everyday, they travel to PGH just for Ashley to be treated. The child's disease (forgive me for forgetting the scientific name of her ailment) happens only one in a million cases. One in a million! My first reaction was, why this child, she's too young to suffer. You could only imagine the compassion we felt for Ashley, and the strength of her mother. You know what happened next? It's amazing. Two women, reached for her bag and gave the mother some money. Another gave her a calling card to call, and more and more people just keeps on giving their moral and financial support. When I gave my card to the mother (I hope she does call), I just couldn't help myself by thanking the lady in red for teaching us, everyone in the train that day, the value of generosity and love. I shook her hand with such respect. There was such a happy feeling inside the train that day that I couldn't help but thank God for showing me what the courage of standing up for someone means.

It made me realize a profound lesson. A lot of people wants to help, they are always willing to lend or share or give. What is stopping them? It is the fear of being the only one who would stand up, being the only who would fight for something, or being someone who would be ridiculous enough to be laughed at. I am just too sure that if the lady in red didn't stand up, no one would extend to help, and yes, I must admit, even myself. I learned my lesson well. Sometimes, it's just too hard for us to show everyone that we have the capacity to love and be compassionate and be generous to other people. We would often say, or justify, that we were too busy dealing with our own problems. When we share the possibility of First World Philippines, most people would laugh at us, saying it's impossible, or they would snicker or raise an eyebrow. Someone even told me it would take a thousand years for that to happen, I mean really, that long? Do we not have faith in ourselves and our country? Then I asked, even if there is so much that you hate about this country, there must be somewhere inside of you that actually wish, if not believe, that the Philippines could be a First World Country.

Okay, so you hate the government, you hate the traffic, resented corruption and all those garbage. You hate the pollution, the everyday stress of the MRT commute, the rising prices and the too many showbiz scandals here in there. But come on, no matter how long you have been working abroad, or no matter how much you want to change your citizenship, you can't, for the life of you, seem to give up tinapa (smoked fish), or salted egg and tomatoes, or dirty ice cream or mangoes and bagoong (shrimp paste). You still seem to enjoy those provincial fiestas, or hanging out with your extended families, and that very famous karaoke. Let's face it, this country may have been through the worst leadership and economic crises, but no matter how many different kinds of money currency we hold, we will always want to exchange it to Philippine peso. We love this country, we may have other countries, we call home, but we can't ever say we were never Filipinos.

The lady in red stood up to offer a hand to Ashley, and people followed. If more and more Filipinos stood up to the possibility of a better Philippines, what do you think could happen? Ashley is like the Philippines, frail, weak and sick. She needs help, are you willing to lend a hand?


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KATE CU
Life & Business Coach
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