Make Yourself More Valuable!

Friends,

Maybe most of us already have their list of “New Year’s Resolution." Most often than not, we fail to live our own expectations. Let this year be a different one and he year after another from now on.

On Stephen Covey’s book, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (which now has the sequel: 8^th habit), he suggests that to be effective one should sharpen his saw on different areas of his life may it be spiritual, social, mental, physical and, may I also add, financial so that you can preserve and at the same time enhance the greatest asset that you have--you! Let us reflect on sharpening our “saw” or “continuously learning” and “giving time for ourselves”.

I remember my professor in college once kiddingly told our class that Albert Einstein’s brain was much cheaper than ours. That if we will sell it to a merchant, he will buy it at a very high price since an appraiser will tell him that compared to Einstein’s Brain, ours are still “slightly used."

From this year on, let us make ourselves more valuable. This is by learning new things and helping others to learn new things.

Learning new things also means we are adding some ‘feature” to our mind. It is like opening doors for different opportunities and allowing constant growth in our life. Imagine our mind is like an evolution of a cellular phone. First, it started with bulky portable device, then it became smaller. The dull LCD became colored. Then it can take some pictures, then they added some music and video capability, then it has a larger memory capacity, then it can access the internet, 3G, GPS, various application, touch screen, remote control and, maybe in near future can drive your car and wash the dishes for you! Even some cell phones don’t have these capabilities, it is agreeable that some units are better than the other. As the unit becomes better, the price increases and becomes more expensive. As we add more features to ourselves, we boost our potential and increase our value.

One may ask, “Who will assess your value?” The only person authorized to answer that question is you. While some may give you fair and sound assessment, it is only you who really knows your self-worth. If you think you are as good as your boss or as handsome as Adonis or as beautiful as Helen of Troy and as wise as King Solomon, then it is only you who can really tell.

Research for something you want to know. Try out your new ideas and put it into actions, learn new skill to serve others, read books and other useful materials that will stimulate your creativity, surround yourself with people that have positive attitudes and find yourself great mentors that will help you! Don’t be outdated, keep updated!

Hey! Remember, Stephen Covey also suggests to “preserve” ourselves. So, relax once in a while, enjoy everything you do, experience new things and discover places too!

Have a Fantastic and a Memorable life this 2011!

P.S. I won’t bother if an appraiser will tag my brain inexpensive like that of Einstein’s, for as long as I make the most out of using it. Besides, why will you sell a goose that lays golden eggs?

Self declaration for the Month.

I know my worth. I won’t settle for anything less. I am allowing good things to happen in my life.

Featured Article/Website…

Here is some glimpse on our economy for 2011.

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/top-news/5617-bullish-trend-seen-in-2011View from past 2010

Also, try to visit this website. Make some commitments for improvements!

www.43things.com

Featured video

A good suggestion for a new year’s resolution.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=honQWnjDeJo

What the Bible says about it?

May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.. - Psalm 20:4

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”- 2 Corinthians 5:17

Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.- Proverbs 16:3

Joke time…

RESOLUTION #1:

2005: I will read at least 30 good books a year.
2006: I will read at least 15 books a year.
2007: I will read 5 books a year.
2008: I will finish The Little Prince
2009: I will read some articles in the newspaper this year.
2010: I will read at least one article this year.
2011: I will try and finish the comics section this year.

RESOLUTION #2:

2008: I will go to church every Sunday.
2009: I will go to church as often as possible.
2010: I will set aside time each day for prayer and meditation.
2011: I will try to catch the late night sermonette on TV.

RESOLUTION #3:

2005: I will get my weight down below 180.
2006: I will watch my calories until I get below 190.
2007: I will follow my new diet religiously until I get below 200.
2008: I will try to develop a realistic attitude about my weight.
2009: I will work out 5 days a week.
2010: I will work out 3 days a week.
2011: I will try to drive past a gym at least once a week.

RESOLUTION #4:

2008: I will try to be a better husband to Marge.
2009: I will not leave Marge.
2010: I will try for a reconciliation with Marge.
2011: I will try to be a better husband to Wanda.

(source www.tensionnot.com)

Points to Ponder…

“If you asked me for my New Year Resolution, it would be to find out who I am.” -Cyril Cusack

“New Year's Resolution: To tolerate fools more gladly, provided this does not encourage them to take up more of my time.” -James Agate

As they say…

‘Resolve not to be poor: whatever you have, spend less. Poverty is a great enemy to human happiness; it certainly destroys liberty, and it makes some virtues impracticable, and others extremely difficult.” -Samuel Johnson

‘Wise to resolve, and patient to perform. “ --Homer

Definition of Terms…

New Year's resolution, a commitment that an individual makes at New Year's Day

Here is a top list of new year’s resolution. Hopefully you can be more specific than these.

1. Spend more time with family and friends.
2. Fit in fitness.
3. Travel more often.
4. Quit smoking.
5. Enjoy life more.
6. Quit drinking.
7. Get out of debt.
8. Learn something new.
9. Help others.
10. Get organized.

Did you know?

In United States probably the most famous tradition in the United States is the dropping of the New Year ball in Times Square, New York City, at 11:59 P.M. Thousands gather to watch the ball make its one-minute descent, arriving exactly at midnight. The tradition first began in 1907. The original ball was made of iron and wood; the current ball is made of Waterford Crystal, weighs 1,070 pounds, and is six feet in diameter.

In Spain The Spanish ritual on New Year's eve is to eat twelve grapes at midnight. The tradition is meant to secure twelve happy months in the coming year.

In Netherlands the Dutch burn bonfires of Christmas trees on the street and launch fireworks. The fires are meant to purge the old and welcome the new.

-source factmonster.com

Have you ask yourself…?

*Are you living your life as a daring adventure?

*How can I make this year different and a milestone for my life?

Thing to consider…

1. This year, do something you haven’t done before. Experience new things!

2. Attend seminars, read books and find mentors on topics you don’t know very well or have no idea at all.

Learn how to build Solid Financial Foundations and know how to make your money grow by learning how to invest in stock market. We are conducting FREE practical wealth seminar. For schedules Email me at jeromeperalta@gmail.com

Dreaming Big for you this year…

Your friend,
Exo.

Thanksgiving In a Year of Investing

Friends,

I want to extend my warmest greetings to you on this very special day. We should all be thankful for all the abundance we received and be generous enough to bless others too. It would be wonderful if everyone wants to become a conduit of God’s love, a channel of his blessings and an instrument for his glory not just today but throughout the year. I believe that God wanted to bless us more next year. We just need to be ready when he pours out his generosity. Christmas is about receiving and not giving. Receiving God’s gift of salvation and love is the greatest present we received on this lifetime.

I want to quote Mr. Augusto M. Cosio on his blog saying that… “The (stock) market gives us an opportunity to improve our lives by giving us multifarious situations that force us to think, gain insight and learn to make sound decisions. In the end, it is really about finding value, just like realizing the true value of Christmas – that God loved us and He gave us a savior. Hence, our market activities (are) not the end all of our lives, but our salvation is. We should see trading and investment merely temporary things. So we lose money occasionally or miss some big moves to gain profits. These things should not determine our happiness or sadness. Christmas reminds us that our happiness is really anchored on Him who gave us life and not merely our wealth. When we can be detached from our investments yet manage them wisely, we can actually achieve more because wisdom comes from understanding that which is really valuable, God’s gift to us – Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.”

It is a very good year for us all. And as the Philippine Carol goes,

Bagong taon ay magbagong Buhay;

Nang lumigaya ang ating bayan;

Tayo''y magsikap upang

makamtam natin ang kasaganaan.

Tayo'y mangagsi-awit

habang ang mundo'y tahimik

Ang araw ay sumapit

Ng sanggol na dulot ng langit

Tayo ay magmahalan

Ating sundin ang gintong aral,

At magbuhat ngayon

kahit hindi pasko ay magbigayan.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Featured Article…

Do you want to write to Santa Claus and send your wish list? Here is an award Christmas winning website.

www.norhtpole.com

Since it is Christmas season, please allow me to give you links of some of my favorite charities and foundations. Maybe, someday, sometime soon, you can share your blessings in these institutions.

www.gracetobeborn.i.ph

www.anawim.com.ph

www.hecaresfoundation.com

Featured video

Let us reflect for a moment on this video which gives a simple explanation about the Paradox of Christmas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH7VLXOryCk

What the Bible says about it?

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believe in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. - John 3:16

“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly”- John 10:10

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). -Matthew 1:23

Joke time…

I once bought my kids a set of batteries for Christmas with a note on it saying, toys not included. ~Bernard Manning

Points to Ponder…

Christmas is the season when you buy this year's gifts with next year's money. ~Author Unknown

Christmas is a time to open our hearts to God and his gifts. Just like the rest of the year. ~Author Unknown


As they say…

Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we're here for something else besides ourselves. ~Eric Sevareid

Santa Claus has the right idea. Visit people once a year. –Author Unknown.

Definition of Terms…

The abbreviation of Xmas for Christmas is not irreligious. The first letter of the word Christ in Greek is chi, which is identical to our X. Xmas was originally an ecclesiastical abbreviation that was used in tables and charts.

Did you know?

The "Twelve Days of Christmas" was originally written to help Catholic children, in England, remember different articles of faith during the persecution by Protestant Monarchs. The "true love" represented God, and the gifts all different ideas:

The "Partridge in a pear tree" was Christ.

2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments

3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity-- the Theological Virtues

4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists

5 Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which relays the history of man's fall from grace.

6 Geese A-laying = the six days of Creation

7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments

8 Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes

9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit

10 Lords A-leaping = the ten commandments

11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles

12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed

Santa Facts…

To deliver his gifts in one night, Santa would have to make 822.6 visits per second, sleighing at 3,000 times the speed of sound. At that speed, Santa and his reindeer would burst into flame instantaneously.

Have you ask yourself…?

*Do I tend to overspend or being too tight in spending this holiday season?

*How can I make this Christmas celebration different from the others without spending too much?

Thing to consider…

1. Stick to your budget and list down your expenses.

2. Be creative without being extravagant in giving gifts.

3. Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect. ~Oren Arnold

Do you need friends to assist you how to study and learn to make your money grow and help you to achieve your BIG dreams? We are conducting FREE practical wealth seminar. For schedules Email me at jeromeperalta@gmail.com

Wishing you More Success and lot of Happiness…
Your friend,
Exo.

Half a Billion Jackpot!

Friends,

The whole country is now INVESTING! Well, unfortunately, not in the right investment vehicle. Most of our friends and family members would line up even a mile before 8pm strikes for this blockbuster event! And, who would not be hopeful to be a winner of over a half a Billion Jackpot last week? This is so tempting especially for the common people, who are placing their hopes to win in lottery. Believe me, most people bet for more than Php 20.00 in a single draw and not lesser than 5 times a month! In our office, there is mutual fund… pooling of money to buy tickets.

Before I proceed further, let me clarify first my position on this topic. I do not condemn the people who are playing the lottery. I just observed that many people would rather take their chance of becoming wealthy instead of religiously save their money or atleast buying what is more important. What I am reproachful is the person’s addiction for gambling.

There was a discussion in our office that they play “lotto” because they want to take part to the Charity but my other friend reasoned out that if you really want to give to charity, give it directly to charity. He also added, “My 20 pesos is much safer in my pocket”. I agree with him. We can have all the reason we need to justify our bets.

I did a little research how much from the 20pesos ticket will go to charity, and I found out that 30% of which will go to the PCSO for its charity works, 15% for its operations and 55% for the prizes. So why not bother entirely give the 20pesos to charity? If you could not afford to give atleast a 20pesos to charity now, it is also unlikely that you can give a million pesos in the future.

And if ever you won the whooping 700million jackpot prize. Will you have a peace of mind? Well, for some this is not a problem if you know how to handle this large amount of money. But for those financially illiterate, this money may not come in handy and will not serve its purpose. It may turn into curse instead of blessing. I hope that you already heard few stories of some successful people (even lotto winners) after terribly misuse and spend recklessly their fortune are going back to square one. Thus, I will reiterate the importance of financial education.

I watched the news last week and a guy was mistakenly identified as the grand prize winner. For his sake, I will no longer mention his name again. With the erroneous information dwell in the internet for less than a day, his privacy is already disturbed and he even bothered because of his security. Well, hopefully this will not happen to the real lucky winner.

It will be hypocrite of me if I will tell you that I am not hopeful to be rich. Of course, I am! I also want to be wealthy someday. But I rather build my wealth brick by brick than betting my chances on gambling. The road is not well paved but my chances are more secured. One thing I realized is that there is NO SHORTCUT in creating wealth. Like Henry Sy, Lucio Tan, John Gokongwei and Tony Tan Caktiong the way did, slowly but surely.

I would like to rephrase what my friend said: “My gambling money is much safer in my investment”.

The Bull Run took a pause last week, a healthy and anticipated correction. They called this as “pullbacks” of prices- we call this “sale”. Indeed a very good time to enter again in the market-An opportunity for those who would like to start their investments.

I think this should be everyone’s six winning combinations:

1.Simplify Lifestyle

2.Save Religiously

3.Invest Regularly

4.Tithe and Tithe

5.Give Generously

6.Spend Prudently

Our God is an abundant God. The blessing he provides for the winner of the 700million Jackpot is not less than or different from the blessings he gives you. We just need to be ready when he pours out his blessings and learn to count our blessings first. He only gives what is the best for us. As Bo Sanchez said “There’s no shortage in blessings. There’s only a shortage in your capacity to receive His blessings. How can an ocean fit in your cup? Enlarge your heart.”

Featured Article…

This is may be a good link which may define when and when you are not gambling.

http://gospelway.com/morality/gambling.php

Since it is Christmas season, please allow me to give you links of some of my favorite charities and foundations. Maybe someday, sometime soon, you can share your blessings in these institutions.

http://gracetobeborn.i.ph/

http://anawim.com.ph/home.html

http://www.hecaresfoundation.com/

Featured video

I couldn’t find a helpful video that will increase your chances in winning a lottery but I hope this will help.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_FNHJHGtqk

What the Bible says about it?

Instead of using the Master's possessions for the intended purpose, the unfaithful steward wastes them or risks losing them for selfish purposes. - Luke 16:1-2

Our lives should be like a light so others may see our good works and glorify God. - Matthew 5:13-16

Joke time…

A man burst into his house and yells, “ Pack your bags, Honey, I JUST WON THE LOTTERY!!”

She says, “ Oh. Wonderful! Should I pack for the beach or for the mountains?”

He replies, “ I don’t care…. JUST GET THE HELL OUT!!”

Points to Ponder…

If you must play, decide upon three things at the start: the rules of the game, the stakes, and the quitting time. ~Chinese Proverb

Luck sometimes visits a fool, but it never sits down with him. – German Proverb


As they say…

No wife can endure a gambling husband, unless he is a steady winner. ~Thomas Robert Dewar

The safest way to double your money is to fold it over once and put it in your pocket. ~ Kin Hubbard

Definition of Terms…

Lottery: A tax on people who are bad at math.

Did you know?

There are 28,989,675 possible combination in 6/55 Lotto and if you will place a 20 pesos for each combination, you will be needing atleast 579,793,500 million pesos.

So your chance in winning a lotto with a single bet is 1/28,989,675 or 0.000003449%. (goodluck!)

The chances of being struck by lightning are about one in three million...higher than your chances of winning the jackpot in the Lotto.

It is higher also in chances that in a group of 23 people, at least two have the same birthday with the probability greater than 50%.

Have you ask yourself…?

*Am I using my money for the right purpose?

*How much of my money goes to Charity and Tithes versus Leisure and Gambling?

Thing to consider…

1. Attend seminars about investing in stock market and assess the risk.

2. Before placing another bet, think again.

Do you need friends to assist you how to study and learn to make your money grow and help you to achieve your BIG dreams? We are conducting FREE practical wealth seminar. For schedules Email me at jeromeperalta@gmail.com

Wishing you More Success and lot of Happiness…
Your friend,
Exo.