T3: The First T - TIME

The First T in the T3 Series of the Talks in the South Feast is all about TIME. As mentioned by the South Feast Builder and Main Preacher Bro. Arun Gogna, we continue to learn about giving our all to God. This is the only way we can have big returns in life.

According to Malcolm Gladwell, the author of Outliers: The Story of Success, "The key to success in any field is, to a large extent, a matter of practicing a specific task for a total of around 10,000 hours". Gladwell claims that greatness requires enormous time, using the source of The Beatles' musical talents and Gates' computer savvy as examples. The Beatles performed live in Hamburg, Germany over 1,200 times from 1960 to 1964, amassing more than 10,000 hours of playing time, therefore meeting the 10,000-Hour Rule. Gladwell asserts that all of the time The Beatles spent performing shaped their talent, "so by the time they returned to England from Hamburg, Germany, 'they sounded like no one else. It was the making of them".

Gates met the 10,000-Hour Rule when he gained access to a high school computer in 1968 at the age of 13, and spent 10,000 hours programming on it. Gladwell explains that reaching the 10,000-Hour Rule, which he considers the key to success in any field, is simply a matter of practicing a specific task that can be accomplished with 20 hours of work a week for 10 years.

The 10,000-Hour Rule applies virtually anywhere. It also applies in relationships. If you want your relationship to be successful, spend 10,000 hours with your loved ones - play with your kids, date your husband/wife/parents/siblings. Marriage doesn't just happen, YOU make it happen. Give your 10,000 hours to God - 10minutes a day in prayer and reading the scripture, attend the mass and the Feast every Sunday and serve in your community. If you want to excel in something and unlock your greatness, spend 10,000 hours in that particular interest.

Here are some quotes published in the Feast bulletin to help us ponder on this valuable subject.

"TIME is the greatest EQUALIZER"

"Don't count every hour in the day, make every hour of the day count."

"Time is more valuable than money. You can get more money, but you cannot get more time." Jim Rohn

"Ordinary people think merely of spending time. Great people think of using it."

"Never let yesterday use up today." Karen Lamb

"Those who make the worse use of their time are the first to complain of its shortness." Jean De La Bruyere

Supermom adventure - Kids' touching stories

Yesterday was another busy Sunday for me. After attending the 8:45 mass at Lower Bicutan, we proceeded to Festival mall to attend the South Feast with the celebration of its transfer to its new home at the 2nd level, X-site entrance. It's quite unusual, since I've been used to the setup at the cinema 10. Despite adjusting to quite narrow seatings, and far stage, still the feast spirit is always there energizing me for another days or weeks to come. I thank the Lord for His goodness, showing that He really answers prayers.

After the Feast, I didn't join the kids and my sisters to eat lunch anymore. I have to go to Brentville with Aileen, my officemate, to bring home some of the stuffs that a Korean acquaintance has sold us. I have bought a kiddie bike for my two precious angels, a BMX bike for me (my goal is to learn biking this year, hahaha!) and a number of books and toys - all second hand but I didn't show my kids yet, I planned to make it their reward for any good deed or excellence in school.

I brought along 2 boxes of assorted stuffs to show my officemates. As I unload the boxes with its contents, Angel and Asher gladly jumped with joy with the belief that it's all for them. I explained to them that everything is for sale. I just brought it to the house since I'm nearer to the office compared to Aileen. They asked me not to sell the toys and just give to them. I explained that I couldn't buy all of those things because we have other important needs to prioritize. They immediately showed me their coin purse, counted and handed over their savings for the week as payment for their choice of books and toys. I was touched and nearly in tears, my children didn't pressure me to buy things for them. They requested that I would tell the owner of the items to let them pay until Christmas time, by that time they would have saved enough for all those items. My kids have grown, not only in size and age, but also in wisdom. I really couldn't thank the Lord enough for giving me these precious gifts.

One morning, while walking along the DOST Compound, Asher asked me if I know what's the meaning of genius. I answered back yes, he immediately replied that he knew it too, he described it as "sobrang talino at sobrang galing". I congratulated him for knowing the meaning of genius. He added, "Di ba Mommy, genius ako?" I stood in awe. "Yes you are my dear" I told him. Then he runs so fast to the Day Care, shouting "Yessss!!! Genius ako!!!" (Truly, God has given me smart kids, may they grow in wisdom and guidance of the Almighty. If my children are self-proclaimed genius, I'm a self-proclaimed supermom too! This life is my adventure...)