Your mantra for the week: “I am learning more every day and moving on to something better in every way.”
Negative thinking starts with you. For example, you look at the mirror and think you’re unattractive, your skin has blemishes, your nose is too big or too small.
Now imagine saying those things often to your best friend. How long do you think you will stay friends? They won’t take it for long, but you do, and you follow these up with your worries and fears.
In IAMISM, we believe in a God within which is a “yes” God that will acquiesce to all our thoughts and feelings with no judgment.
Start planting positive thoughts in your psyche about yourself. When you are moved to live up to a better image, do so.
I suggest the following positive actions:
1) Exercise. It can do wonders.
2) Change your looks. If a facelift will help, do it.
3) If you need a counselor, find one.
4) Forgive yourself and your past, like your parents’ so-called shortcomings.
5) Avoid looking at the weaknesses of others just to make yourself feel good.
6) Remember that you were born with original goodness, so share it.
‘Poet of the piano’
World-renowned pianist Cecile Licad’s latest series of performances in the country, dubbed “I Love Chopin,” opened at Manila Polo Club. It was a smashing success.
Explaining the all-Chopin repertoire, she said: “I love Chopin because I heartily agree that he is the poet of the piano. He has written 169 works which are played by major artists all over the world.”
That evening, Cecile’s repertoire included “Nocturne in F major and B flat minor,” “Mazurka in C minor,” “Fantasy in F minor,” “Berceuse and Scherzo No. 2” and after the intermission, “12 Etudes, Op. 10.”
She also added a reverie. It sounded like a mystical music experience. I imagined the great Frederic Chopin whispering, “I love Licad.”
After several encore numbers, there was a meet-and-greet with Cecile in the covered garden lounge of the Polo Club.
When the cultured side of town get together without the now notorious selfie seekers stumbling all over the place, it brings back pleasant memories of what real society used to be.
Putting aside politics
At the Polo Club’s main lounge, over 500 of the Forbes Park and Dasmariñas sets, including the Polo Club’s members, gathered and hobnobbed with each other, putting aside political differences.
Oscar Lopez and wife Connie were two seats away from Imelda Marcos and son Bongbong. Cecile was Imelda’s protégé.
Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra Society Inc. (PPOSI) president Nedy Tantoco welcomed the guests.
I would have acknowledged Irene Marcos-Araneta because she’s the the artist in her immediate family, and is also one of Cecile’s best friends.
I sat with Michelle Tan as her escort that evening, because her husband, Alliance Global Group CEO Kevin Tan, was in Singapore. Gloria Angara was all smiles because her late husband, Ed Angara, was founding chair of PPOSI.
The event was for the benefit of Childhope, a foundation that takes care of street children headed by Teresita Silva and Chips Guevara.
Part of the proceeds also go to PPO members, who may avail themselves of it during their membership and retirement.
Cecile’s remaining performances are on Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m., CAP Auditorium, Baguio City; and Dec. 8, 6 p.m., Gerry Roxas Foundation Auditorium, Roxas City.
Follow the columnist at Dr. George on Facebook, where he goes live every Sunday at 7 p.m. Tune in to his radio program “Positive Session” every Saturday, 9-10 p.m. on DWIZ 882 AM.
