August 23

I have been dreading this space since August 23. Like most tragedies that hit our nation, there are simply no words.  I'm writing this to share some insights on internal factors that I feel were informing events at the Quirino Grandstand and on the internet.

There was so much anger and blame online. I was part of it until I realized it wasn't really accomplishing much. After feeling utterly useless and overstimulated by the horrible images,  I turned everything off. I could not watch any more of the live coverage. I could not believe I was watching it blow-by-blow as it happened.  I left the room and lit a candle for those who died--and for humanity in general--sending out all the love, comfort and warmth I could muster. A few minutes later, D. came into the room and sat with me in silence and prayer, exactly the way we do when someone we know has crossed over. We made a conscious effort to get out of the virtual world and engage in something human. Someone later tweeted, with an expletive or two, that he was tired of all the calls for prayer. What he wanted was action. Those who know the power of prayer, know it is action. Prayer (not the emotional asking for the moon kind) is thinking and reflection with compassion. At that moment, it was a very powerful deed.  Nothing else would be accomplished online.

As a people, I have observed that we are sorely lacking in boundaries. You see it in our geography, too. Water surrounds us, the earth constantly shifts beneath our feet and we like to be fluid and soft and warm. Our challenge is to create boundaries where needed. The police didn't give it to media and could not muster enough for themselves. People around couldn't keep away. The media got too close and, in my opinion, did not exercise enough restraint. I am all for reporting and bringing truth and facts across, but when lives are in the balance, delayed broadcast would be the better choice. Everyone wanted in on the action. Some people from media decided they could get close and interview the hostage-taker and voila, they did. Everyone wanted to do everything except step back and create boundaries.

We need boundaries. We ought to have them in the form of laws, which we seem to be able to craft. But implementing and following them--these are difficult for us.  I believe it is because most of us are extremely boundary-challenged.  We don't have the internal alarms that tell us when we are too close to the person beside us in the queue, or that the question we want to ask is inappropriate.  We grandstand during hearings because we have a bigger sense of ourselves and none of the other.  We grin and laugh during a hostage crisis because the cameras are rolling and somehow we've blurred the lines between virtual and real. We take souvenir shots of ourselves in front of the bus where so many lives were lost and post them online. We don't care that the money we used to build our fortune -- the one that allows our daughters to buy their exorbitantly priced designer bags -- came from government. That means we robbed hardworking taxpayers. Did you feel that when you crossed the boundary? Did you know there was a boundary?

Someone else tweeted that if we tried to figure out the motives of hostage-taker, we would end up going all the way back to his mommy. I think that was meant to be funny, but in the end I have to say, absolutely.

As a mother, I make sure I raise my children to recognize boundaries. How? I create them. Discipline, consistency and integrity. Rules are clear. Consequences as well. And I try with everything I have, to be true to what I say. Whatever comes out of my mouth is followed through.  I live what I preach. They see it and grow up in it.  Strengthening these inner boundaries make up a well-structured moral life. Having a sense of where you stand and where others do is a healthy social skill to have.  It is inside that we have to look to see what went wrong.

Everyone wants to say enough talking, let's start acting. Well, I have news for you, we can't walk the talk if we haven't figured out the talk. We need to connect the dots, see the relationships that make us whole as human beings and make sure that we are always walking that path of integrity.  This brand of thinking is self-reflection towards conscious, purposeful and directed action. What ails this country can only be healed within. The future of this country depends on what we do today, inside ourselves, because that will inform how we behave and create and move in society. We start at home with ourselves and with our kids. 

Until then, we continue working furiously at outer structures that keep crumbling because the foundation we keep avoiding has long been rotten to the core.

Just Another Day With My Globe Guy

My internet connection conked out Monday night. Both my phone lines died. One phone was repaired last night. The other, along with my internet, only minutes ago. Here's a glimpse of one of many similar experiences with Globe service team:

Me: Bakit palaging nasisira ang telepono ko?
Globe: O nga po, on and off.

Iyon lang.

Globe: Maam, kagabi pa po na-restore ang internet dito.
Me: Bakit iyong sa akin, hindi?
Globe: Shrug.

Iyon din lang.

Me: Kung hindi niyo alam, malamang mangyayari ulit.
Globe: Giggle.


Can't we all do better?

Farming in Harmony with the Cosmos:

Introduction to Bio-dynamic Agriculture

Thursday, September  2, 2010, 6:00pm-8:30pm

ISIP Center, 6241 Palma cor Mañalac St., Makati City (near Rockwell)

FEE: P600 including handouts and light snack

Institute for Steiner’s Ideas in Practice (ISIP) Philippines presents a lecture by Gregory Kitma, one of the country’s leading expert practitioners on Bio-dynamic Farming.

Many of us have heard of and are quite familiar with ORGANIC farming. Organic food production requires the use of safe, sustainable farming methods, producing healthy crops and livestock without damage to the environment. No artificial or chemical fertilizers and pesticides are used, and animals are reared without use of antibiotics and drugs. The health of the soil is maintained and the welfare of livestock considered.

Bio-dynamic farmers take the organic concept even further. The approach is holistic, recognizing that there are invisible life forces embedded in plants and animals that work in partnership. There is a recognition that the whole earth is a living organism in harmony with the vast cosmos, and each farm is unique. The result is food within nature’s organization bursting with health and vitality.

The evening introductory lecture will provide participants with the basic philosophy, principles, and methods of Bio-dynamic Agriculture.

Fee

P600, inclusive of handouts and light snacks

Schedule

5:30pm             Registration and snacks

6:00pm-8:30pm  Lecture

For reservations and inquiries

Call (02) 899 46 75, text 0920 983 1329 or email ISIP.Philippines@gmail.com

Chi Running

I was never one for running. I tried it, admittedly without conviction, motivation nor pleasure, many years ago and just found it too jarring and not my thing. I was happy just walking, doing my pilates, rebounding, doing everything slowly.  But then the forties hit and those who are there with me know what that means for the body. I felt I needed to do more and though I love rebounding, I live in a fantastic neighborhood for walking and, well, running. Yup, I felt the time had come to add that to my regimen.

So I sent an SMS to all my runner friends asking for numbers of trainers. I was going to get into this with proper training. Stories of running injuries abound and I didn't want that at all;  I wanted to start properly. Well, one text message mentioned Chi Running. That intrigued me so I googled it and got very excited.

Chi Running incorporates core work, proper alignment, body awareness, relaxation and enjoyment into your running technique. It teaches you how to let gravity work for you. There is a wisdom here that I already live by in the many platforms of exercise and movement I continue to use in my life. Danny Dreyer, the founder of Chi Running leads a holistic lifestyle and believes that running doesn't have to mean injuries. He runs with a focus on the body-mind connection and that really appealed to me.

The best thing about learning Chi Running is there's a local certified instructor, Lit Onrubia.  We waited a few weeks before he could come out to our neck of the woods but it was worth it.  He gives workshops regularly, so I'm sure you'll be able to find one that will fit your schedule. If you're contemplating running, do this first! I used to pant going uphill and put on invisible breaks going downhill, but a few hours with Lit and I already have a technique that works. Now I look at hills with zero dread--ok--greatly diminished dread.

You guys, Lit makes running a pleasure! Chi Running rocks!

What's Up With That?

After years of initiatives and having to deal with charging fees for workshops and lectures, I have come to the painful conclusion that Filipinos need to come into a healthier relationship with money. Our view is one of scarcity and fear. Mind you, I understand that, because I also have that in me, but I am conscious of it and try to work towards an attitude of abundance.

In the last two lectures we organized, we pegged the price at P500 and then P200 for teachers and students. We used to have a "pay what you can" policy but always ended up with too many people not paying at all, or paying so little, even if they could clearly afford to put their money towards the extras like t-shirts and snacks. So, enough of that. We all know by now that Pinoys need boundaries, so it's better to set the fee.

Well, it's funny the things you learn about people and their attitude towards money. Even those who can afford the fee, will try to pay the lower fee. Others sneak in and evade paying completely. And I know every one of them. There were those I told point blank, and they nodded and pretended to be called away and never came back. Others just came in, sat, and just left. Quickly. Well, some I let go because I couldn't keep track and also I just believe in karma anyway, but those I could keep track of got a text message today. I have yet to receive evidence that I have not been ignored. A dear lady gave extra and told me not to give her change as she wanted to donate it. She also received a message of profound gratitude for that gesture of consciousness and uprightness.

They came to hear someone share his life's work. There is value to that and clearly everyone took from it. Well, the money you pay to hear him is recognition and support of his work, from which you take and that is just. You pay what you can. By contributing financially to this lecture that YOU decided to partake of, at the level you can truly afford, you are acknowledging the speaker's hard work, his wisdom, and everything that you are receiving from it. You are also putting value on what you are receiving from his sharing.

As for me, the gloves are off. I find that I also have difficulty being forthright in asking, face to face, for what is due. So I acknowledge that I have a part in enabling this abhorrent and selfish behavior. I'm getting better at it, but I still need to be able to do it for those who keep trying to escape. The bottom line is, if you do not want to give, then please do not take.

Money is energy and what will return to you will be equal to what you put out. I find solace in that. Those who refuse to put out, even though they can, will also be on the receiving end of stinginess and contraction. Never expansion. Yup, there is much solace in that.

The Art of the Heart

Frank Chester blew us away and so many begged to hear him again. So, if you missed his first talk, here's your chance! Please click on the image, or here for more details.

You MUST hear Frank Chester!!!

I know this is small, as usual, so please look at the details here.