Thursday, May 14, 2009

Lessons From a 90 Year Old

I would love to be able to take credit for this but alas it was not I who wrote this. I hope you enjoy this and learn from it as I did.
Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio


"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written."

My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7.. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye.. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43.. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.."


Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Guia as Enterpreneur Guru- By Evelyn Alcantara

Guia Gomez, an entrepreneur who underwent a series of trial and error challenges in several business ventures is considered an “entrepreneur guru” of striving and aspiring entrepreneurs who sought her advises. Her thirty seven (37) long years of involvement in various kinds of businesses with several associates provided her the hands-on training on management, marketing, production, technical and financial operations equivalent to a masteral degree in business administration or even a doctoral degree.

Her various business endeavors at a given time were: catering, manufacturing, export, international recruitment, domestic employment assistance, development and realty, construction, environment consulting, management, marketing, franchising and e-commerce.

The business instincts of Ms. Gomez made her companies financially and operationally viable during its incubation and up to a certain period of time. She believes that entrepreneurs should be flexible and must have the “let go” attitude in order for them to survive the fast-changing business environment. She always warns the aspiring entrepreneurs not be to emotionally attached to their products and must be opened to “change” so that they can continue to be in the business world.

Name the business and Ms. Gomez can say significant statement about it. Her wide exposure in different types of business ventures as a single proprietor, partner and corporate board member led to the registration of thirty three (33) companies with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Majority of these companies are categorized as small or micro businesses with paid up capital of six thousand pesos (P6,000.00) or below per company. Ms. Gomez, as entrepreneur advocate supported the creation of companies among her friends colleagues and wide spectrum of business associates. She provided them her wisdom, technical assistance and networks of friends with various fields of expertise.

She has now graduated from the tediousness and stressful business operations and spending time in mentoring other micro-entrepreneurs inspired by the Balikatan sa Kaunlaran (BSK) National Foundation, a thirty-two year old family-based, non-stock, non-profit organization promoting Entre-Pinoy and Agri-business as its flagship programs.

As the BSK National President, Ms. Gomez spearheaded the adoption of a BSK social enterprise to ensure the financial sustainability of the organization. Called the “Nenita” dolls, the BSK doll trademark has pioneered the creation of doll museums in the country and contributed in promoting nationalism among youth and children. Among the doll museums depicting histories of various cities can be found in Marikina, San Juan, Las Pinas, Pulilan, Bulacan and Subic.

In addition to her role as the “icon” of doll museums in the country, Ms. Gomez continues to provide entrepreneurs her ideas and perspectives on how to pursue their business ventures. One has to be objective in accepting her negative comments on their business prospects because as “entrepreneur guru,” Ms. Gomez will definitely verbalize both her positive and negative perspectives so that the entrepreneur is ready to face the problem that he/she may encounter in the future.

As her son, Mayor JV Ejercito puts it, “he learned from all her mother’s mistakes in businesses.” Ms. Gomez did it the hard way and she wants to help other entrepreneurs to learn how to cope because businesses nowadays are more complicated as a result of the global financial crisis.

In addition to the free entrepreneurial consultancy services being provided by Ms. Gomez, she also assists in marketing quality products through direct selling and on-line marketing. Ms. Gomez ensures that the products that she will endorse will pass her own-quality control criteria through using them and testing their efficiency or effectiveness. Among the products that she is promoting are: herbal medicines, powdered green tea, liquid soap, decorative eggs and novelty items.

During her recent television interviews at UNTV station, Ms. Gomez stressed that the “global financial crisis is a wake up call for all of us. Our country can survive if we just simplify our lifestyle, go back to basics and have strong faith in God.”

Ms. Gomez reiterates that entrepreneurs are the backbone of country’s economy. They should be provided with support mechanisms so that our country can survive the crisis.









Submitted by Evelyn B. Alcantara*

May 13, 2009

* Evelyn Alcantara is the Executive Trustee of the Balikatan sa Kaunlaran (BSK) National

Foundation