We can go beyond seeking the experiences that grant us self-fulfillment, and seek the visions including others in them, beyond our loved ones. Now that's YOLO.
Tag: community
[The Who Goat] How can I share more goodness this year?
Sharing goodness can be done in so many ways - and, in fact, when you live your true higher purpose, your entire life becomes goodness shared. How can you share more goodness this 2016?
Going Christmas shopping? Buy local or sustainable
Even the things you consume can reflect your state of awareness! Especially this Christmas season, why not be more mindful of the things you buy - where they come from and how they are made - for gifts to your loved ones? Not only would you make your loved one happy, you'd also make a small-time business and their stakeholders happy: the best Christmas gift you can give them.
Personal social responsibility: A commitment
The Personal Social Responsibility Commitment (PSRC) by the Benita & Catalino Yap Foundation, which promotes making CSR a lifestyle, echoes TDA's own values. Click to read the Commitment in its entirety.
Why sharing fosters growth
In living your higher purpose, it's always about community and sharing - everyone exchanges their ideas, resources, and talents to help others and be helped in the name of mutual achievement of the one big goal of authentic development.
[Weekly Word] Enough for all
"Less for self, more for others, enough for all" need not be - I believe in "more for all". It is the MINDSET of self-interest that must be lessened, and a mindset of inclusiveness that should be espoused. That philosophy is encapsulated in this week's Word, "shared value".
Two-way individuality
Individuality isn't confined just to how responsibility should start on the personal level. Growing or developing others is also on an individual basis - precisely because we are individuals. Social change should take this very seriously, as not doing so would cause more harm than good.
[Weekly Word] Love’s scientific name
Responsibility and service are both deeply and ultimately rooted in love, and love requires a certain system or order governed by peace and relationships, not selfishness or conflict. This system, which is this week's Word, is "harmony".
Dream on, and dream!
Your dreams may be one way God - or your Higher Being - is speaking to you, and thus one way you can realize and live out your higher purpose or your Reason. Take time to look at them, and more importantly, follow them.
A visionary’s flaw, or the relationship between principles and kindness
Living a conscious life of purpose involves high principles or standards, and adhering to them. However, we run the risk of alienating others - and even ourselves! - by too strict an adherence or enforcement of said standards. We have to remember to be kind and understanding in accommodating others - and even towards ourselves!
[Weekly Grace] The most important preparation for a calamity
The most important preparation for a calamity is none other than... prayer.
Why?
The key to understanding everything, especially about yourself, is all about asking WHY. It leads to a deeper appreciation of your thoughts, words, and actions - and thus empowers you to live a better life well anchored on something eternal. Our entire beings are put into perspective: our underlying reason and purpose.
[Weekly Word] Back to its roots
With today's word, we examine bringing business back to its roots - to creating real value for society in as efficient a manner as possible. This week's Word is the "Lean Startup".
[Weekly Word] The niceties of social niceties
This week, we cover a concept that is both ubiquitous and very deep-reaching, especially in Chinese society, where it began. Without at least gaining a proper understanding of what it's about, it will be difficult and awkward if not impossible to navigate through East Asian society. This week's Word is "face", translated into classical Chinese as 面 (miàn).
West Valley Fault Preparations Part 3: Kits and Plans
This third of three posts about preparing for the predicted Valley Fault earthquake that will devastate the Greater Metro Manila area discusses in more detail having your own emergency supply kit and detailed disaster plans for the family and workplace/school. I recommend assembling your own supply kit instead of a pre-made one that may lack some essentials or contain unimportant things relative to your own circumstances. Disaster plans must be mastered and practiced by all members.
West Valley Fault Preparations Part 2: Pre-, During, and Post-Earthquake
This second of three posts about preparing for the predicted Valley Fault earthquake that will devastate the Greater Metro Manila area discusses the things that can be done in preparing for an earthquake - before, during, and after it strikes.
West Valley Fault Preparations Part 1: Maps and Home Safety Check
This first of three posts about preparing for the predicted Valley Fault earthquake that will devastate the Greater Metro Manila area discusses the fault system atlas launched by government agencies in May 2015 as well as affected settlements, and a 12-point checklist evaluating your home's integrity and safety launched in February 2014. If you live in Metro Manila, I recommend you download these documents and study them.
Weekly Word 2 June 2015
Sadly taken for granted today, it is always helpful to be reminded to practice this starting with yourself. We advocate this for the world, but we should begin living it out ourselves. This week's Word is "peace".
Symbiotic Relationships
Symbiotic Relationships: A Haiku.
The Gospel According to You
What is the Gospel According to You? Only you can say, for it is YOUR story of love and peace shaped uniquely through YOUR lens. You are you, and there never was, is, and will be anyone like you.
Weekly Word 12 May 2015
Last week, we talked about enlightenment. This week, we talk about the substance of enlightenment, one that is unique to each and every one of us - and thus what we are obliged to share with others. This week's Word is "wisdom".
Weekly Grace 10 May 2015
"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." -James 1:27, NRSV-CE
Have an umbrella with you all the time!
Have an umbrella, even a small one, at hand always, rain or shine. In rain, they keep you from getting wet; while if it's sunny and really hot, it can keep you protected from the heat.
Weekly Grace 3 May 2015
"Blessed is he who considers the poor! The LORD delivers him in the day of trouble; the LORD protects him and keeps him alive; he is called blessed in the land; you do not give him up to the will of his enemies. The LORD sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness you heal all his infirmities." (Ps. 41:1-3, RSV-2CE)
Book Feature: The Purpose Driven Life
The Purpose Driven Life is a master in showing us the eternal truths God has laid out for us. Through a 40-day spiritual journey, it teaches us five Purposes that we are to always keep in mind while holding on to our God-given individuality. I invite you to embark on the same journey!
4 ways to ensure punctuality
We've all been late for something at least once. Tardiness is actually not living out consciousness and responsibility because it wastes time and ruins schedules - of both the other parties and the tardy party. Here are four suggestions to be more punctual.
Weekly Word 14 April 2015
This week, we reflect on a word that I believe we should live out more often and more wholly, and not just for ourselves but for others too. This week's Word is "dream".
Weekly Grace 12 April 2015
"Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get." (Mt. 7:1-2, NRSV)
Weekly Word 7 April 2015
This week, we cover a word whose true meaning, for me, has been flattened out to mean just one aspect of what it truly means. As we discover ourselves and the world around us, I invite you to return to the true meaning of this word, and to live it out. This week's Word is "philanthropy".
Lectione gaudium
There is much joy to be elicited from reading. It is a free and pleasurable (if you let it be) vacation and medicine - a vacation for mind and soul, and a medicine for soul and society. Today, many take it for granted, and correspondingly, the Social Cancer is still strong and spreading. Take up a book today, read, learn, and act!
Better Over Good
I invite you to contemplate on choosing the better option over the good option in everything you do. Knowing that one can live better should be reason enough to reflect on this. Furthermore, God left no stone unturned in sending His only Son to die for our sins so that we may be saved; in return, we, too, owe it to Him to consider Better Over Good.
Cathay Pacific Flight 872
Cathay Pacific Flight 872
What is to truly travel?
What does it mean to truly travel? It is adapting an open and mindful mind while staying true to yourself, as opposed to being unaware, intentionally or not, of the ways around you. The latter leads to a less-than-fulfilled experience, while the former makes you grow and appreciate more - one step closer to practicing true personal CSR.
10 good manners to remember today
Practicing good manners show you respect others and their human dignity. After all, the cornerstone of living well is living a life of service, a life for others and not just for yourself. Good manners is one good place to start, especially if you're young. Here are 10 manners to serve as your daily mental vitamin!
The Librarian’s: On mercy and compassion – Lessons from a true Jesuit
To weep is to show true compassion, to sympathize with the plight of the less fortunate, to devote ourselves not just financially but also emotionally and whole-heartedly. To act on this is to show true mercy. This is the central message behind the theme of the 2015 State and Pastoral Visit to the Philippines of His Holiness Pope Francis, "Mercy and Compassion", and perhaps his entire papacy itself.
7 chores you can insert into your day
It's so easy - and perhaps even fun - to do your part in household chores, whether or not you or your family have housekeepers. It shows you are responsible, independent, and that you care for your environment and for others. Here are a few such things you can do that fit into your daily routine.
The Order to Love
Even with no S.O., you can spend Valentine's Day as a day of love for anyone and everyone, be it family, friends, less fortunate brothers and sisters, or even strangers. After all, since when has love been all romantic? Happy Valentine's Day!
Obey traffic rules!
They were put there for a reason, and that reason is connected to being a good citizen, following the law. And being a good citizen means to follow the law, even if it seems to be unreasonable or a burden.
7.2 earthquake can hit Metro Manila in the near future
The most important and populated areas in the Philippines are at risk of getting shut down by a huge earthquake. Read more about it here.
Say thank you then read
Gratitude is not only the greatest of values, but the parent of all others. (Cicero) Being a Chinese-Filipino living in the Philippines, we don't celebrate Thanksgiving. However, there's a lot to be said about this special holiday and the meaning behind it: Rooted in religious tradition but also celebrated secularly, Thanksgiving is meant to commemorate… Continue reading Say thank you then read
Why a dentist is a perfect example of community
Before I begin writing, I'd like to take a moment to share this video of a story I've frequently encountered over the years. It's about the blind men and an elephant, which is commonly used as a fable for the relativism and subjectivity of truth - how our subjectivity is true but may not be total. But this… Continue reading Why a dentist is a perfect example of community
NEWSFLASH: A New Kind of Bucket List
Do you have a bucket list? What are the items listed in it? A lot of us would write ours to contain things we want to do before we die, such as visit so-and-so or do such-and-such with who-and-who. The goal? To maximize the experience one gets from life before it's all gone forever (or, rather,… Continue reading NEWSFLASH: A New Kind of Bucket List
2012: Not the end, but the beginning.
Wow, I haven't updated this in almost a year. How time flies... Indeed, this supposed last year of the world has been figuratively (good thing not literally) a blast, and especially in this time of my life, I am now more than game to face 2013. Although the seeds were sown during the last quarter… Continue reading 2012: Not the end, but the beginning.
Aloy Chua 