Take NOT The Road Less Travelled

This piece is a sure salt to take.

Written and delivered by a 16-year old MIKAELA IRENE FUDOLIG who graduated BS Physics Summa Cum Laude from the University of the Philippines last April 22, 2007, this valedictory speech is now circulating the world wide web. Ms. Fudolig's GPA is 1.099.

One of the things that strike me as being very “UP Diliman” is the way UPD students can’t seem to stay on the pavement. From every street corner that bounds an unpaved piece of land, one will espy a narrow trail that cuts the corner, or leads from it. Every lawn around the buildings sports at least one of these paths, starting from a point nearest to the IKOT stop and ending at the nearest entry to the building. The trails are beaten on the grass by many pairs of feet wanting to save a fraction of a meter of traveling, no matter that doing so will exact some cost to the shoes, or, to the ubiquitous slippers, especially when the trails are new.What do these paths say about us, UP students?
One could say that the UP student is enamored with Mathematics and Pythagoras, hence these triangles formed by the pavement and the path. Many among you would disagree.

Others could say that the UP student is naturally countercultural. And the refusal to use the pavement is just one of the myriads of ways to show his defiance of the order of things. This time, many would agree.

Still, others will say that the UP student is the model of today’s youth: they want everything easier, faster, now. The walkable paths appeal to them because they get to their destination faster, and presumably, with less effort. Now that is only partly true, and totally unfair.

These trails weren’t always walkable. No doubt they started as patches of grass, perhaps overgrown. Those who first walked them must have soiled their shoes, stubbed their toes, or had insects biting their legs, all in the immovable belief that the nearest distance between two points is a straight line. They might even have seen snakes cross their paths. But the soiled footwear, sore toes, and itchy legs started to conquer the grass. Other people, seeing the yet faint trail, followed. And as more and more walked the path,
the grass gave in and stopped growing altogether, making the path more and more visible, more and more walkable.

The persistence of the paths pays tribute to those UP students who walked them first - the pioneers of the unbeaten tracks: the defiant and curious few who refuse the familiar and comfortable; the out-of-the-box thinkers who solve problems instead of fretting about them; the brave who dare do things differently, and open new opportunities to those who follow.

They say how one behaved in the past would determine how he behaves in the future. And as we leave the University, temporarily or for good, let us call on the pioneering, defiant, and brave spirit that built the paths to guide us in this next phase of our life.

We have been warned time and again. Our new world that they call “adulthood” is one that’s full of compromises, where success is determined more by the ability to belong than by the ability to think, where it is much easier to do as everyone else does.
Daily we are bombarded with so much news of despair about the state of our nation, and the apparent, perverse sense of satisfaction our politicians get from vilifying our state of affairs. It is fashionable to migrate to other countries to work in deceptively high-paying jobs like nursing and teaching, forgetting that even at their favored work destinations, nurses and teachers are some of the lowest paid professionals. The lure of high and immediate monetary benefits in some low-end outsourcing jobs has drawn even some of the brightest UP students away from both industry and university teaching to which they
would have been better suited.Like the sidewalks and pavement, these paths are the easiest to take. But, like the sidewalks and pavement, these paths take longer to traverse, just as individual successes do not always make for national progress. The unceasing critic could get elected, but not get the job done. The immigrant could get his visa, but disappear from our brainpower pool. The highly paid employee would be underutilized for his skills, and pine to get the job he truly wants, but is now out of his reach. And the country, and we, are poorer because of these.Today, the nation needs brave, defiant pioneers to reverse our nation’s slide to despair. Today, we must call upon the spirit that beat the tracks. Today, we must present an alternative way of doing things.Do NOT just take courage, for courage is not enough. Instead, be BRAVE! It will take bravery to go against popular wisdom, against the clichéd expectations of family and friends. It will take bravery to gamble your future by staying in the country and try to make a prosperous life here. It might help if for a start, we try to see why our Korean friends are flocking to our country. Why, as many of us line up for immigrant visas in various embassies, they get themselves naturalized and settle here. Do they know something we don’t?Do NOT just be strong in your convictions, for strength is not enough. Instead, DEFY the pressure to lead a comfortable, but middling life. Let us lead this country from the despair of mediocrity. Let us not seek to do well, but strive to EXCEL in everything that we do. This, so others will see us as a nation of brains of the highest quality, not just of brawn that could be had for cheap.Take NOT the road less traveled. Rather, MAKE new roads, BLAZE new trails, FIND new routes to your dreams. Unlike the track-beaters in campus who see where they’re going, we may not know how far we can go. But if we are brave, defiant searchers of excellence, we will go far. Explore possibilities, that others may get a similar chance. I have tried it myself. And I’m speaking to you now.

But talk is cheap, they say. And so I put my money where my mouth is. Today, I place myself in the service of the University, if it will have me. I would like to teach, to share knowledge, and perhaps to be an example to new UP students in thinking and striving beyond the limits of the possible. This may only be a small disturbance in the grass. But I hope you’ll come with me, and trample a new path.

Good evening, everyone.

For more information about Mikaela, you can check this article: www.upd.edu. ph/.../ articles/Mikaela. htm

What did Chief Justice Reynato Puno said at the Andres Bonifacio National Monument on 12th of June to commemorate the Independence of the country? I did not get the full speech of what may have been the best speech given that day but here are some snippets:


"As long as the Filipino suffers from the lack of proper education, we are not free. Those who cannot understand their rights and responsibilities to society can never be free.

"As long as there are those who seek for new lives abroad because they find disillusionment and lack of hope in the future of this country, we are not truly free. Where there remains a hand outstretched and begging for food in the streets, and there are those who are forced to commit a crime only to survive, we are not truly free.

"As long as there is disrespect to even just a single vote of a citizen, we are not free."

"Liberty goes hand in hand with dignity. A person that is truly free is possessed of dignity–he is full and complete. He is nobody's slave and is dictated upon only by his own conscience.

"It is true that we have achieved one form of liberty–that which is called `political independence' or the right to self-governance. We are no longer under the control of a foreign people.

"But let us ask ourselves, how is the Filipino today? Does he enjoy the benefits of dignity? Can we truly say that he can hold his head high before everyone? Because what our heroes fought for is not an abstract idea, but that we should concretize dignity in our lives.

"To have a sufficient means of livelihood, to have a source of food for the table, to have education for the youth, and a safety net for the elderly in the society.

"It is our duty to repay, in honor of those who worked hard for us in the past, that we also work hard not only for the present, but most importantly for the future of our country."

Give Thanks Every Day

How often do we thank people? Can you recall the last person you have shown gratitude?

One of America's successful motivational authors Napoleon Hill share his insights on a simple act often neglected by most men and women -- saying "Thank You!" .Read and be inspired with the words that moved many individuals to become great men.

Many successful men and women claim they are “self-made.” But the fact is that no one reaches the pinnacle without help. Once you have set your definite major goal for success—and taken your first steps to achieve it—you find yourself receiving help from many unexpected quarters. You must be prepared to give thanks for both the human and Divine help you receive.

Gratitude is a beautiful word. It is beautiful because it describes a state of mind that is deeply spiritual in nature. It enhances one’s personality with magnetic charm, and it is the master key that opens the door to the magic powers and the beauty of Infinite Intelligence. Gratitude, like other traits of the pleasing personality, is simply a matter of habit. But it’s also a state of mind. Unless you sincerely feel the gratitude you express, your words will be hollow and empty—and sound as phony as the sentiment you offer.

Gratitude and graciousness are closely akin. By consciously developing a sense of gratitude, your personality will become more courtly, dignified and gracious. Never let a day pass without a few minutes spent in giving thanks for your blessings. Remember that gratitude is a matter of comparison. Compare circumstances and events against what they might have been. You’ll become aware that no matter how bad things are, they could be much worse—and you’ll be grateful they aren’t.

Three phrases should be among the most common in your daily usage. They are “Thank you.” “I’m grateful . . .,” and “I appreciate . . . .”

Be thoughtful. Try to find new and unique ways to express your gratitude. Not necessarily in material gifts, however. Time and effort are more precious, and the amount of these you dispense in showing gratefulness will be well worthwhile.

And don’t forget to be thankful to those who are closest to you—your wife or husband, other relatives, and those you associate with daily, whom you might tend to neglect. You are probably more indebted to them than you realize.

Gratitude takes on new meaning—new life and power—when spoken aloud. Your family probably knows you are grateful for their faith and hope in you. But tell them so! Frequently! You’ll find a new spirit pervading the household.

Make your gratitude creative. Make it work for you. For example, have you ever thought of writing the boss a simple note telling him how much you like your job and how grateful you are for the opportunities it offers? The shock power of such creative gratitude will bring you to his attention—and could even bring you a raise. Gratitude is infectious. He might catch the bug and find concrete ways of expressing his gratefulness for the good services you are rendering.

Remember there’s always something to be grateful for. Even the prospect who turned down a salesman should be thanked for the time he spent listening. He’ll be more likely to buy next time.

Gratitude costs nothing. But it’s a big investment in the future.

The 90/10 Principle

The 90/10 Principle is one of the new philosophy popularized by international motivational speaker Stephen Covey. Known author of the book "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" and other related motivational books, Mr. Covey introduces a new way of facing things which are out of our control. Here's what he has to say about the new principle Mr. Covey introduced?

What is the 90/10 Principle?

10% of life is made up of what happens to you.
90% of life is decided by how you react.

What does this mean? We really have no control over 10% of what happens to us. We cannot stop the car from breaking down. The plane will be late arriving, which throws our whole schedule off.

A driver may cut us off in traffic.
We have no control over this 10%.
The other 90% is different.
You determine the other 90%.

How? By your reaction.

You cannot control a red light, but you can control your reaction. Don't let people fool you; YOU can control how you react.

Let's use an example. You are eating breakfast with your family.

Your daughter knocks over a cup of coffee onto your business shirt. You have no control over what just what happened. What happens next will be determined by how you react. You curse. You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the cup over. She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, you turn to your spouse and criticize her for placing the cup too close to the edge of the table. A short verbal battle follows.

You storm upstairs and change your shirt. Back downstairs, you find your daughter has been too busy crying to finish breakfast and get ready for school.

She misses the bus. Your spouse must leave immediately for work. You rush to the car and drive your daughter to school. Because you are late, you drive 40 miles an hour in a 30 mph speed limit.

After a 15-minute delay and throwing $60 traffic fine away, you arrive at school. Your daughter runs into the building without saying goodbye.
After arriving at the office 20 minutes late, you find you forgot your briefcase.

Your day has started terribly. As it continues, it seems to get worse and worse.

You look forward to coming home, When you arrive home, you find a small wedge in your relationship with your spouse and daughter.

Why? Because of how you reacted in the morning.

Why did you have a bad day?
A) Did the coffee cause it?
B) Did your daughter cause it?
C) Did the policeman cause it?
D) Did you cause it?

The answer is D.

You had no control over what happened with the coffee. How you reacted in those 5 seconds is what caused your bad day. Here is what could have and should have happened.

Coffee splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say, "It's ok honey, you just need, to be more careful next time."

Grabbing a towel you rush upstairs. After grabbing a new shirt and your briefcase, you come back down in time to look through the window and see your child getting on the bus. She turns and waves. You arrive 5 minutes early and cheerfully greet the staff. Your boss comments on how good the day you are having.

Notice the difference? Two different scenarios. Both started the same. Both ended different.

Why? Because of how you REACTED. You really do not have any control over 10% of what happens.

The other 90% was determined by your reaction.

Here are some ways to apply the 90/10 principle.

If someone says something negative about you, don't be a sponge.

Let the attack roll off like water on glass.

You don't have to let the negative comment affect you!

React properly and it will not ruin your day.

A wrong reaction could result in losing a friend, being fired, getting stressed out etc.

How do you react if someone cuts you off in traffic?

Do you lose your temper?

Pound on the steering wheel?

A friend of mine had the steering wheel fall off!

Do you curse?

Does your blood pressure skyrocket?

Do you try and bump them? WHO CARES if you arrive ten seconds later at work?

Why let the cars ruin your drive?

Remember the 90/10 principle, and do not worry about it.

The plane is late; it is going to mangle your schedule for the day.

Why take out your frustration on the flight attendant?

She has no control over what is going on.

Use your time to study, get to know the other passenger.

Why get stressed out?

It will just make things worse.

Now you know the 90-10 principle.


Apply it and you will be amazed at the results.


You will lose nothing if you try it.


The 90-10 principle is incredible.


Very few know and apply this principle.


The result?


Millions of people are suffering from undeserved stress, trials,


problems and heartache.


There never seem to be a success in life.


Bad days follow bad days.


Terrible things seem to be constantly happening.


There is constant stress, lack of joy, and broken relationships.


Worry consumes time.


Anger breaks friendships and life seems dreary and is not enjoyed to
the fullest.


Friends are lost.

Life is a bore and often seems cruel.

Does this describe you? If so, do not be discouraged.

You can be different!

Understand and apply the 90/10 principle.

It will change your life.

Have a Great Day & and an even Greater Tomorrow!