Your mantra for the week: “My feelings are important; they govern my actions.”
To continue last week’s column on IAMISM, a course on happiness and its 10 basic factors:
6) Friendship
Friends are considered by most people as their extended family and rightly so; friends do turn out, oftentimes, to be a better support group than our own families.
Friends take you for what you are. Family members often blame you, point out your weaknesses and frequently are more concerned with how you would affect the family name, even if they sincerely desire to help.
Our friends see us through difficult times and I believe that the more friends you have, the better your chances for happiness.
I remember what the great mystic Khalil Gibran had to say about friendship: “For without words, in friendship, all thoughts, all desires, all expectations are born and shared, with joy that is unacclaimed… Let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit.”
7) Marriage
This may not be necessarily legal but it’s the getting together of two individuals (yes, even same-sex unions) who desire to share their lives as two whole persons and not two people who try to become the better half of the other, thus, incorporating the best qualities of each and making it easier to support and understand whatever weaknesses each party may have.
They come together not on the basis of a need but a desire to wed their fullness and their joy. This makes for a true marriage and not a piece of paper that promises and vows to stay together till death while slowly dying inside. I prefer one that brings joy no matter how short or long it lasts.
8) Faith
It is a belief in a Power greater than you that is at work in the universe, through certain universal laws like karma, which is simply the law of sowing and reaping. You sow and reap through the use of your I Am—which means karma begins with your thoughts and feelings, not necessarily just your actions. Notice that the name of God in the Old Testament is I Am that I Am.
In the Christian religion, the three persons are: the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. In IAMISM, the 3 persons are: I am, you are, he/she/it is as in the English grammar. How you make use of your I Am—whether in thought, feeling or words, and in any person, first, second or third, determines your happiness or unhappiness in life.
9) Generosity
When we were born, our fists were closed; and when we depart from the earthplane, our hands open. To me, it is a metaphor for learning the lesson of generosity of mind and heart as expressed in our caringness, lovingness and also of sharing our material wealth.
Some psychologists claim that generous people never really end up in asylums, hospital basements, rehabilitation clinics and places of like kind. I tend to agree that generosity of mind and heart is antidote to mental disorders. Mind illnesses are usually found in people who are extremely mean, malevolent, greedy, unkind and selfish. Happy people are different—they are kind, benevolent and giving.
10) Gratitude
IAMISM suggests the attitude of gratitude be emphasized so we always remember how blessed we already are. And being blessed, practice tithing, the Prosperity Secret of the Ages, by giving the tenth of all monies that pass your hands to an individual or organization where you find your spiritual inspiration.
This method promises that all areas of your life—your health, wealth, relationships and success shall be satisfactory, if not exemplary. Those who believe they cannot afford to tithe is the time they cannot afford not to tithe according to Dr. Catherine Ponder, world-renowned author of “Prosperity and Healing.”
In addition to the 10 factors, I suggest including two more senses to the basic ones that we already have like seeing, hearing, smelling, touching and tasting; a sense of purpose and a sense of humor are absolutely important. One gives you direction in life and the other provides you with laughter for the roller-coaster ride of living.
Birthday gals
One of the three richest women in Asia, Nedy Tantoco, is being honored in a series of dinners given by friends and admirers.
The first was given last Wednesday by the irrepressible Rep. Baby Arenas at Sage Restaurant with the closest friends of both the host and the honoree in attendance.
Nedy was set to leave and celebrate her birthday in San Francisco but changed her mind and decided to stay in the country. By the way, she and Baby have the same birthdays and both are happy they have a day in common to celebrate.
Nedy’s most fervent wish for the coming year is to have more grandchildren, preferably another male, since she already has three granddaughters.
Baby wants a country where the gap between the rich and the poor is narrowed. We asked her whether she would consider another love affair at this point in her life because rumors have it that she is being pursued by a Count.
She wittingly replied, “Are there other presidents available?”
Yesterday, it was Manila Peninsula general manager Sonja Vodusek-Vecchio’s turn to honor Nedy at a sit-down dinner for 24 at the Ramon Magsaysay lounge of Old Manila.
Upon my suggestion, the gentlemen moved three seats to their right during the intermezzo and again before dessert so as to allow everyone to circulate, something like a sit-down cocktail party.
After the sumptuous dinner, we proceeded to the 11th-floor presidential suite for after-dinner drinks and listened to piano virtuoso Raul Sunico, with soprano Rachelle Gerodias and her husband, baritone Byeong-in Park.
On Wednesday, Sonny Tanchanco and John Gaddi, who are legally married but without any plan of going “trans,” are hosting a little get-together at Emilio Mina’s Caruso Ristorante for a different set of friends of Nedy.
These dinners can go on for months, considering how difficult it is to find a suitable gift for someone who is vice chair of Rustan’s and CEO of SSI Group, Inc. We, her friends, console ourselves with the thought that whatever little thing we can give will do and we make up by being regular clients of SSI and Rustan’s. Happiest birthday, Nedy and Baby, you are both truly appreciated!
Must-see
The musical “Mabining Mandirigma” ended its run at the Cultural Center of the Philippines last Friday with all tickets sold out. Due to its many commitments, it is unfortunate that CCP has no more play dates available even if this musical is a production of its resident theater company.
It is a must-see for every Filipino. Imagine a libretto by Nicanor Tiongson, music and composition by Jed Balsamo, set design by Toym Imao, and directed by Chris Millado.
Before watching, I expected to see a good show, and yet it surpassed my expectations. The performances were superlative, especially those of dancer-thespian-singer Delphine Buencamino, who played Apolinario Mabini, and tenor extraordinaire Arman Ferrer as Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo.
The musical is truly Pinoy. It should be dedicated to some of our present representatives for they may find themselves reflected in some of the characters and thus make the necessary changes for the better.
Please help me look for a new venue for this musical. I tried RCBC Tower but the next available date is June 2016. That is a bit too late because I want every Filipino voter to watch the play before they cast their votes for the general elections in May.
Thank you, Mr. President
Tomorrow is P-Noy’s last Sona. His critics are aplenty but I am a P-Noy fan. He is the only president who has done the following:
1) Impeach the Chief Justice for behavior unbecoming of the position.
2) Stand up to the Church like no other president has done on the RH Law, against all odds.
3) Move up the country to investment grade like never before.
4) Haul off three “untouchable” senators to jail.
Even for just these four reasons, if P-Noy were allowed to run again, I would campaign and vote for him.
Tomorrow’s Sona will probably enumerate his other achievements that his critics will put down. But I have never been as happy in this country as I am today despite its so-called imperfections.
Thank you, Mr. President, for the last five years. I trust your last year will be made much easier for you to accomplish those which are still waiting to be finished. If they are not completed, the credit still belongs to you for starting them.
