Spring personally provides profound meanings of hope, transformation and celebration. During this time, colours start to swell across the field; the mighty snow crumbles under the gentle power of the sun; fauna emerges from hibernation; and kids’ playgrounds burst with life.
Every spring I look back at my old skin and get acquainted with my new wings. The last few months have been a challenge, for my dear Philippines, my work life and some close friends.
We have seen what the economic condition has done to small businesses, friends, work colleagues and everyday people we meet. We have witnessed how the power of unity back home resurged into our countrymen’s veins due to their hunger for justice, how a book has shaken the core values of the justice system, how greed resulted in a massacre, and how unpreparedness could cost lives condemning everyone to shame.
We have also seen how bullying can destroy the spirit of a man dedicated to his craft; how people have been blinded by their ego or inner sorrow; and how an act of manipulation destroyed a promising relationship. We have all seen events, joyful or not, transform us. We are after all, participants to life’s seasonal changes.
The wonder and mystery of life is we manage to survive the long winter and endure the heat of summer. What is it that makes us who we are? What is our secret recipe to survival? To success?
I have just finished reading Robin Sharma’s book called “The Leader Without a Title.” It sums up that each of us are born leaders with abilities we have forgotten, neglected and/or weren’t even aware of. A week ago I was being pulled from different directions. Issues arose from having a business in events management, working as a new bank manager, doing radio, promoting live shows and running a non-profit community organization. Weekends were non-existent; every day’s a working day. I almost give up but didn’t. Instead, I decided to flick on my light switch.
Deep inside of me, I found a few seeds. I remember these seeds were planted by my loved ones; the seed of hope by my uncle, the seed of perseverance by my late father, the seed of faith by my son, the seed of love by my partner and the seed of trust by my best friend. As I dug further, I unearthed more seeds I could no longer ignore. I felt compelled not to disappoint them thinking it was up to me to show the leadership I was born with. It was up to me to nurture, sustain, and ultimately decide which of those seeds define my being.
As the book says “there are two kinds of seeds within you – the weak and the great, the one that gets stronger is the one you feed the most”. This spring, I choose to breed the seeds of hope, love, and faith. And I shall also plant them within others. Just think about it, if you plant a seed of deceit in someone, you nurture a seed of distrust and resentment. You plant a seed of selfishness then you nurture the seed of greed, ego and manipulation.
This spring, what seed will you sow? Remember, it begins with one right choice. – ?