Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Acres of Diamonds by Earl Nightingale


Back in the year 1843, a man was born who, during his lifetime was to have a profound effect on literally millions of people. His name was Russell Herman Conwell. He became a lawyer, then a newspaper editor, and finally a clergyman in 1881. It was during this latter period that an incident occurred which was to change his life and the lives of countless others. One day a group of boys came to Dr. Conwell and his church and asked him if he would be willing to instruct them in college courses. They wanted a college education but lacked the money to attend. He told them he’d do all he could and as the boys left, a thought, an idea began forming in Dr. Conwell’s mind. He asked himself, “Why couldn’t there be a fine college for poor but deserving young men?” It was a great idea and he went on to work on it at once. Almost singlehandedly, Dr. Conwell raised between six and eight million dollars with which he found with the now well- known Temple University of Philadelphia. It was how he raised this money that I want to tell you about. He raised the money by giving lectures all over the country, more than 6 thousand of them. And in each he told a story called, “Acres of Diamonds”. This was a true story which have affected him very deeply just as it affected his audiences.

It was a story of a farmer who had settled in Africa. This farmer had heard the exciting stories about the African settlers who had made millions by discovering diamond mines. Realizing the African continent was rich in diamonds, the farmer could hardly wait to sell his farm and search for diamonds himself. He spent the rest of his life wandering the vast African continent searching for the gleaming gems which brought such high prices on the markets of the world, but without success. Finally, in the sudden pit of despondency, broke and desperate as I remember the story, he threw himself into a river and drowned. During this time, the man who had bought his farm, one day found a large and unusual stone in the stream which cut through the property. It turned out to be a great diamond of enormous value. And then he discovered that his farm was covered with them. It has become one of the world’s richest diamond mines. Now the first farmer had owned literally acres of diamonds but had sold them for practically nothing in order to look for them elsewhere. If he had only taken the time and studied to know what diamonds looked like in their rough state and at first thoroughly explored the land he had owned, he would have had the millions he sought, right on the land he had been living upon.

What so profoundly affected Dr. Conwell and subsequently thousands of others was the obvious fact that each of us is at this moment is standing in the middle of his own acres of diamonds. If we will only have the wisdom and patience to intelligently and effectively explore the work in which we are now engaged, we will usually find that it contains the riches we seek whether they be financial or intangible or both. Before we go running off to what we think are “greener pastures” let’s make sure that our own is not just as green or perhaps even greener. While we’re looking at other pastures, other people are looking at ours.

There’s nothing more pitiful to my mind than a person who wastes his life running from one thing to another like the first farmer - forever looking for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow and never staying with one thing long enough to find it. For no matter what your goal may be, the road to it can be found somewhere in the work in which you now find yourself. It was not until he was completely paralyzed, for example, and was forced to reach into the resources of his mind, that a Wisconsin farmer got the idea of producing exceptionally good meat products on his farm and one of the country’s largest meat packing companies was born. His farm contained acres of diamonds too he had just never seen them before. A paper salesman found a dirty drinking glass in his hotel room and gave his company the idea of manufacturing paper cups, an idea that solved his financial problems for life. An insurance man got the idea of going back to all the people in his files and really “working” with them, serving them the way they should be served. That year, he wrote an additional 700 thousand dollars of insurance, made the million dollar roundtable, and found he no longer had to approach cold prospects, that by working with the people he had already sold and on their referrals, he had acres of diamonds right in his filing cabinet. A man out west amassed a fortune with a single small gas station. In the beginning when things were tough, he would ask himself each morning, “What can I do to increase my service to my customers?”, he still asks that question of himself each morning when he gets up and when he could have retired years ago, a wealthy man, he continues to dominate the business in his area by thinking of new and better ways to be of service. You know what the so- called average man would have done in this last case? He would have been worried about how bad business was because at the beginning my friend had a hard time just feeding his family. When one day a man would have driven in his station with a big shiny car, this average man seeing the wealthy customer would have said to himself “I want to be in his business instead of mine.” You see the average man believes some businesses are better than others instead of realizing the truth that there are no bad businesses, there are just those people who do not know enough to see the opportunities in the work they are in. Jobs don’t have futures, people do. No matter what our work happens to be it is our business, we are it’s manager, if we can see no future or opportunity in it, it isn’t because it is not there but only because we can’t see it. One time another farmer poked a tiny pumpkin into an empty one gallon jug. The pumpkin grew until it completely filled the jug and it could grow no more.  When it was ripe, the farmer broke the glass jug and had a pumpkin which he assumed the jug’s exact shape. In life, each of us does the similar thing, we poke ourselves into jugs of our own deciding and we can grow no larger. But let’s be mature enough to realize, that it is “we” who do the poking. Not the job, nor the company, nor the territory, nor the economy, nor the times. We do it. We should dispense with limitations and realize there is virtually no limit to our growth and development on the land on which we now find ourselves. Above all, keep this thought in mind as often as you can on and off the job. Somewhere within the work you are now doing, there are lurks and opportunities that will bring you everything that you could possibly want for yourself and your family.

In closing, here are 12 points to remember:
1.       If we will develop the wisdom and patience to intelligently and effectively explore the work in which we are now engaged we will find it contains the riches tangible and intangible we seek.

2.       Before we go running off to what we think are greener pastures, let’s realize our own pasture is unlimited.

3.       That there are no bad jobs but it is in the way in which we go about our work which makes it good or bad.

4.       That we poke ourselves into jugs beyond which we cannot grow. Let’s remove the limitations we have set upon ourselves.

5.       That only preparation can ensure our taking advantage of the opportunities which will present themselves in the future. Opportunities which are around us now.

6.        Put your imagination to work on the many ways and means of improving in what you are now doing.

7.       Learn all you can about your job, your company, and your industry.

8.       Since there is no limit to the growth of your industry, it must follow that there is similarly no limit in your growth potential within that industry.

9.       Our dynamic and growing economy needs and will well reward the uncommon man who seeks a place in this growth.

10.   Begin to build your library of reference material pertaining to your company, industry, job, and on how to better serve and get along with people.

11.   Set aside an hour a day for this study and research.

12.   Remember the story of, “Acres of Diamonds”.

Sir Earl Nightingale, thank you.


Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Bangon Pilipinas!


Inspired by Manny Pacquiao, I was able to write a poem… I dedicate this work to Manny, to all the hundreds and thousands of Filipinos who are struggling to overcome the devastating effects of Super Typhoon Pablo that hit the southern part of the country, and to all the Filipinos out there who remain optimistic despite the challenges we face these days, this is all for you… Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

Perlas ng Silangan ang sa 'yo'y turing,
Buong mundo'y humahanga sa natatangi mong galing
Kahit saan man dako, ika'y kapansin- pansin
Pagkat Pilipino ay kilala sa husay nyang angkin

Ika'y nangunguna sa iba't- ibang larangan,
Sa mundo ng sining man at maging sa palakasan
Ngalan mo'y binabanggit, sa labi ng banyaga'y namumutawi,
Kilala kahit saan, Pilipino ikaw ay tinatangi!

Sa iyo mang paglaban ika'y di magwagi,
Mapalitan man ang saya ng luha at pighati
Pagsubok lang 'yang ituring, huwag kang pagugupo,
Minsan pang pag- alabin, apoy sa iyong puso

Takpan man ng ulap ang iyong araw, 
Pighati ma'y dumating at siyang pumaimbabaw
Ika'y di hihinto, patuloy na maglalayag,
Haharapin ang unos at muling mamamayagpag!

Dumating man ang dilim at mapawi ang liwanag,
At sa iyong paghakbang ay walang maaninag
Sa likod mo'y naroroon, Diyos na Maykapal
Hawak ang iyong kamay sa bawat pagpapagal

Bangon Pilipinas, sapagkat kaya mo 'yan!
Bangon Pilipinas, ituloy mo ang laban!
Madapa man minsa'y babangon muli,
Hindi titigil, hindi kaylanman pagagapi!

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Psy Concert in Manila

Korean Pop Superstar, Psy will come to Manila to stage a concert at SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds on December 20, 2012 at 8 PM.

The local concert producer expects 40,000 to 60,000 people  to attend the said event.

Big names from the local showbiz industry will be the guest performers for this Korean viral sensation's concert, dubbed as The Gangnam Show: PSY Live in Manila. Among the front acts are:

  • Chocoleit
  • Pooh
  • Pokwang
  • Ate Gay
  • Wally and Jose Manalo
  • K Brosas
  • Vhong Navarro
  • Anne Curtis
  • Ai- Ai delas Alas

Tickets are now on sale and as posted on Manila Concert Scene's official website, the prices are:

Bronze (Standing) - P 530
Silver (Standing) - P 1,590
Gold (Free Seating) - P 3,700
VIP (Reserved Seating) - P 5,810

For ticket sales and inquiries you may visit SM Ticketnet's official website at www.smtickets.com or you may call them at (02) 470- 2222.

This event is presented by Music Management International, Ovation Productions, and That's Ntertainment Productions.



Friday, August 31, 2012

How to Mend a Broken Heart


Getting over someone is such a challenge after the relationship goes off. More often than not, when “love” ends, most people find it truly hard to put things back to pieces and move on with life.

I myself have been into relationships and I am very much familiar with the topic of moving on. Just like everyone, forgetting the one who I had a relationship with is just tough.

Here are some tips I can share with you when it comes to fixing that heart which has just been broken and start life over on your own:

  1. Be strong.
Even before getting into a relationship, having emotional strength is already required. How can you be in a relationship if you are afraid to take chances? The same strength is required when you try to forget the person who broke your heart and erase all the hurt.

  1. Keep yourself busy.
According to Ann Landers, “The best way to mend a broken heart is activity.” It means that you have to be busy doing things that you enjoy doing. In that case, you will be able to not think about those hurt feelings while you do something that interests you because the best way to forget a person is to take him or her off your mind.

  1. Be optimistic.
There are billions of people in the world and it is impossible for you not to be able to find a replacement.

  1. Focus on developing yourself.
Thinking positive is not enough for you to get a rebound. Try to think of how you can develop yourself physically. Why not work out to lose some weight and have a toned body? How about changing your hairstyle that can help accentuate some lovely parts of your face?
Well, self- development is not solely physical. Why not take up extra classes during your free time in order to acquire new skills? Start reading books or attend a book club for you to meet new faces and mingle with new people.

  1. Listen to music.
Of course, don’t listen to songs that will just remind you of your past relationship. They will just put in your mind the person you are trying to forget. Choose songs that can uplift your spirit, songs with positive meaning, songs that can help you move on…
  
  1. Go out and talk to family and friends.
Remember that even when a relationship ends, the world does not stop moving. There is no need to dwell on the sad feeling and wallow in the misery of being left by a partner. It does not mean that nobody loves you and you are all alone in this world. You still have friends and family members who you can talk to and spend time with. Go out with them. Go shopping or see movies with them! I bet they all have some pieces of advice to share with you to help you move on with life after a break up.

  1. Pray.
To most people, this is really helpful. We have to believe that there is someone much more powerful than us who can help, lead and tell us what to do.

  1. Love yourself more.
Life is nothing without love. If love ceases after a break up, it does not mean that you should lose that love you have for yourself as well. Take this opportunity to love yourself more! As the saying goes, “You cannot be loved unless you learn to love yourself.” So, for you to be loved again, you have to love yourself. And since, you are looking for someone better, you ought to love yourself more!

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Our Lady of Vailankanni


Vailankanni, on the coast of the Bay of Bengal in southern India, owes great part of its notoriety to Our Lady of Health, also known as the “Lourdes of the East.”
The city of Vailankanni, in the State of Tamil Nadu, welcomes thousands of pilgrims, who each year come to venerate the Virgin Mary. Like in other shrines, the Mother of God gathers her children in this basilica, where one can attend liturgical celebrations in English and Hindi, as well as in other local languages such as Tamil, Marathi, Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada.

Since the 16th century, several miracles and Marian apparitions to different individuals have taken place. The first apparition took place when a Hindu boy had gone out to get milk. On his way back, the Virgin Mary appeared to him and asked for some milk for her child, which she held in her arms. The boy agreed, but when he returned home he was demanded a reason for his delay. He explained all that had happened, and seeing a surplus of milk, everyone realized that none was missing. The boy took his master to the place of the apparition and the Virgin once again appeared to him.

Several years later, the Virgin Mary appeared to another boy, once again asking for milk, and the same miracle took place. Furthermore, this boy, who was a cripple, was cured. This time the Virgin Mary requested that they build a chapel in her honor, and so it was done. The chapel soon became a place of veneration to Mary, Our Lady of Health (“Arokia Matha”).
However, the story does not end here. Miracles have continued to happen; in particular, the miracles that occurred in the 17th century and in 2004. In the 17th century, a merchant ship from Portugal was wrecked on the coast of the gulf. The sailors invoked the Virgin Mary, Star of the Sea, and promised to build a shrine in her honor if they reached land safely. They were miraculously saved by the Virgin and upon their arrival they were taken to the Chapel that was built in honor of Our Lady of Vailankanni. They transformed the simple chapel into a shrine, which in time has undergone several restorations until turning into a truly majestic sanctuary. On November 3rd, 1962, Pope John XXIII elevated the Shrine of Our Lady of Velankanni to the rank of basilica.

In 2004 there was a great tsunami. The area of Vailankanni was one of the most devastated areas. When the waves invaded the city, 2000 pilgrims were in the shrine attending mass. The shrine was miraculously spared, while the waves destroyed remaining buildings in the city.

In this way, Our Lady of Health has shown herself to be the caring Mother who protects her children of Vailankanni, India and the entire world.

Prayer of consecration to Our Lady of Vailankanni:

“Most Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our Mother of Health, today we come to you fully confident in your maternal heart.

Today we consecrate to you our work and sacrifices, all we have and all that we are. Reign over us, dearest Mother, that we may be wholly yours in prosperity and in adversity, in joy and in sorrow, in health and in sickness, in life and in death.

Because of you, we praise the Holy Catholic Church; protect her against all attacks of her enemies. Because of you, we praise the human race; may all men and nations come to understand and fulfill the precepts of your divine Son.

Love your neighbor in order that there may be genuine peace in justice and in truth.”


Wednesday, July 11, 2012

The English Mavens ELOI


The English Mavens® English Language Online Institute (ELOI) was established to provide the most innovative English distance education program courses to students and professionals from different countries in Asia and Europe. Our company offers its instructors a continuous intensive training to be able to effectively teach every student using the most modern approach and unparalleled teaching techniques.

The Courses We Offer:

ESL for Kids and Adults (Beginner/ Intermediate/ Advanced)
This learning program focuses on the development of the student’s English Language Macro SkillsListening, Speaking, Reading and Writing as well as the English Language Micro Skills such as Grammar, Vocabulary, Spelling and Pronunciation.  Together with our well- balanced approach and unparalleled teaching techniques, we can ensure that the student will achieve communicative proficiency. We also use various learning materials that are designed for different levels and capable to ease new students into learning the English language and the American culture.

Business English for Professionals
The Business English for Professionals Program aims to help professionals to increase their employment opportunities and career prospects. We intend to improve their English skills and get a better advantage and confidence. We can observe that most people who are fluent in the English language have better jobs, work in international companies and do business with foreigners, and can travel to many places without having the fear of not being understood.

English Proficiency Training
            English Proficiency Training is a course which is designed for those students who want to improve not only their English grammar skills but their Speaking and Writing skills as well. Lessons in this course include proper sentence formation following the correct structure, correctly making phrases and sentences, paying attention to the English grammar rules such as Subject- Verb Agreement, Conjugation, Parallelism, Coherence, Proper Use of Prepositions, and the like . This course also helps improve both the Speaking and Writing skills of the student since the classes are held online and activities must be done through writing and must be sent to the coach via email. These said Writing activities are modified and sent back to the student after all the necessary corrections are made.

Basic Pronunciation
The Basic Pronunciation Program will mainly focus on developing the student’s Pronunciation. It aims to help students to familiarize themselves with the correct stress, rhythm, and intonation of English words, phrases, and sentences.
This course also makes the students recognize the IPA symbols, an effective way to make students improve their pronunciation when studying on their own using a dictionary. This program will surely make the student gain confidence in speaking.
Text learning materials and audio files are sent to the student's email address in order for the student to practice and improve even when at home.

American Accent Training
The American Accent Training Program is designed to help students to develop their American Accent. It will focus on the three main components which are Intonation (speech music), Liaisons (word connections) and Pronunciation (the spoken sounds of vowels, consonants, and combinations).
Different exercises are designed for the students; which they need to go through step by step. A very important thing we need to remember is that we can use our ACCENT to say what we mean and how we mean it. Word stress conveys meaning through tone or feeling, which can be much more important than the actual words we use.
Similar to the Basic Pronunciation Course, learning materials including audio files are sent to the students’ email to make them improve their accent as they practice at home.

Teaching Strategy Training
The Teaching Strategy Training Program intends to equip future ESL teachers with the modern Principles and Strategies of Teaching English.
Knowledge about the subject matter is not the only the main factor that they need to consider in order for them to become an effective ESL Teacher; they also need to be strategic in demonstrating the lessons to their students.
In this program, teachers will be encouraged to use different effective motivational tools to catch the student’s attention easily as well as techniques to keep the student interested in the lesson from the start until it is through. The course also focuses on Lesson Planning and Effective Classroom Management whether it is offline or virtual.

IELTS, TOEIC, or TOEFL Review
            This review program is specifically designed for those who are planning to take IELTS, TOEIC, or TOEFL exams. Our center has numerous currently published review materials that can make our students well prepared for the exam that they want to take. We can also make our students familiar with the examination techniques in order for them to take the exam with ease and confidence that can lead them to get high marks. 

Please add tem.admin1 to your Skype contacts for inquiries. You may also visit our website at www.theenglishmavens.webs.com

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

How to Improve your English Pronunciation

Pronunciation is one of the three main components of accent. You have to develop your pronunciation if you want to be understood clearly when speaking English. One way to help you improve your pronunciation is these tips from Deborah Healey of the English Language Institute at Oregon State University.

This video with my voice in the background was made for you to understand the steps easily. Follow them and I assure you that your English pronunciation will improve.