Eight of Spades

Imagine what if the generation before us just leave things the way it was. Meaning, like cavemen, what if they just let the fire out and just continue eating raw meat? In short, what if the people before us didn't have any plans or any initiative to improve their lifestyle. It is possible that we will still be cavemen if we are not gifted by curiosity and discovery. We inherited a better living, aside from national debts, than what our predecessors has experienced. It is not just a responsibility. It is a law. LEAVE EVERYTHING A LITTLE BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT. There will always be someone who will search and create a life enhancement discovery. It is a primary obligation for every living generation. A typical parent will always find a way to provide a better way of life to their children. Then these children grow and become parents, they will also do the same. It is a cycle of life.

This law also applies in our careers and relationships. A success driven person always see to it that he accomplishes his responsibilities ahead of time. He always exert an extra effort to make thing more accurate and will leave his boss impressed. He will not mind taking overtime and will always be volunteering in any additional work or events. He has passion. He wants a better life so he works better each day. There is nothing wrong with it, given he never neglects any other obligation, specially to himself and his loveones.

In relationship, we always do a special thing for our special someones. Like cooking for them or buying a simple gift, and even just writing a note that says "Hon I need extra cash, now" just kidding, trying if you are still paying attention. A simple note like "you make everyday worth smiling." Simple things are usually overlooked. But these simple things have a huge impact in someone's life. A simple smile will always lift some worries from yourself and from other people.

We shouldn't stop improving. Once we stop, it will also mean the end of us. So always remember: LEAVE EVERYTHING A LITTLE BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT.

The Jack of Hearts

There is no constant thing on earth but change. I bet it is very true. Regardless on how much a being like himself, whether he likes it or not, he cannot stop changing. There are a lot of aspects, especially for us humans, to consider when it comes to changing. I remember the words that elders here often uses when someone uses alibi to escape their misdeeds "Huwag kang tumanda ng paurong." As our body age so does our wisdom. And most especially the way we handle our responsibilities.

In my dire times, when I feel that everything seems hopeless, I always asked myself "how mature am I to handle this?" Maybe it is not yet time or maybe I am way behind my development, but if I cannot get through this now, when will I ever overcome it. All of us will grow eventually, so why hinder ourselves? We should not just grow, not just change, but we should be better each time. Time changes and it demands goes with it. It is so important to remember and live by this lesson from the Jack of Hearts: COMMIT YOURSELF TO CONSTANT IMPROVEMENT. Don't be contented with what you are right not. There is always room for growth. If you feel you are the best now, do you think you're still the best tomorrow?

The Sixteenth Card on the Deck

In this world, some says, there are losers and achievers. It is up to us in which category do we want to belong. Definitely losers are those who just let things happen. Winners, even if they fail, they learn and constantly move on forward. Many asks what is the secret of those successful people. Some says it is hardwork, while others say it's because of luck. In my own opinion, I think it's neither of them. For me, working hard is totally different from working smart. We do not have to work hard for something, if we really want it, we would enjoy doing it. There is always another way. If we continuously do a process redundantly, definitely there is something wrong. Every process should be easier at every passing moment. There is always a new way to do things better and a lot easier. Improvise. Innovate. We don't just do things the first time, always keep on improving. Processes should be always keep getting better and better. A very good example of it is the basic evolution. Animals to man. Creation keeps on improving. Another is technology. Would you like to use the Smart Bill-crusher type of analog cellular phone? I don't think so. Times change, so we do also.

I think luck is not what is not expected to happen. I think luck is an opportunity given to a long-prepared person. Say can you say that a person who won 300 million peso jackpot money from lotto lucky when after three years he came back broke and mishandled the opportunity? He is not definitely lucky. He is pitiful, a pitiful person who possessed something but didn't know what to do. So definitely, luck is the mid-portion of a process into which a person who is given an opportunity, and of course he should be ready, which he draws his best efforts toward success.

I think, in my opinion, the secret of successful people are "EXCELLENCE". "EXCELLENCE IS NOT AN ACT BUT A HABIT." Compete with yourself. Outdoing your previous accomplishments raises your standards. Quality that seems to be unbeatable by any other person. A daily effort of doing things better, improving in your daily work, and most specially morally and spiritually at ease everyday. Yourself is the first competition that you have. How can you convince others that you are better than them when you yourself know that you didn't do things in your best efforts. Excellence is by doing a daily improvement in yourself, in your responsibilities, and after that, even with others. Constant improvement, being excellent yourself will make you live each day in glory. The three of diamonds reminds you that "EXCELLENCE IS NOT AN ACT, BUT A HABIT."