Leadership Gold

Mr. Francis J. Kong in his article at the Philippine Star today defined good leadership. What makes a good leader? Maybe it depends on who is answering that question. Some may claim that Ferdinand Marcos was the best President we ever had and others may proclaim that it was Ramos, Cory, Gloria and even Erap.

Some may base their understanding of leadership on accomplishment, education, technical background, ability to inspire others, charismatic appeal, etcetera.

But leadership, we may all agree doesn’t start on gathering people and ending on giving instructions and task delegation. It’s the whole process of leading and mobilizing the whole team to achieve a common goal. Moses had weaknesses but he managed to lead a pack of unbelievers turned converts. So, what is leadership? Let Mr. Kong elaborate on this by reading the following excerpts from his article, Leadership Gold from his column at the Philippine Star, Business Matters (Beyond the Bottom Line).

Good leadership always makes a difference. Dr. John Maxwell in his latest book entitled: Leadership Gold says: There are many people in the world who are willing to give advice on things they’ve never experienced. They are like bad travel agents: They sell you an expensive ticket and say, “I hope you enjoy the trip.”Then you never see them again. In contrast, good leaders are like tour guides. They know the territory because they’ve made the trip before, and they do what they can to make the trip enjoyable and successful for everybody.

A leader’s credibility begins with personal success. It ends with helping others achieve personal success. To gain credibility, you must consistently demonstrate three things:

1. Initiative. You have to get up to go up.

2. Sacrifice. You have to give up to go up.

3. Maturity. You have to grow up to go up.

If you show the way, people will want to follow you.

The higher you go, the greater the number of people who will be willing to travel with you.

How true this is. Our company has trained thousands of senior executives in our mere three years of existence and my partners and I have observed one amazing thing: That the toughest person to lead is always yourself.

To be successful in any endeavor, we need to learn how to get out of our own way. Here are four steps that can help you do that:

1. Learn followership. Arrogant leaders are rarely effective in the long run. They alienate their followers, their colleagues and their leaders.

Learn to submit to another person’s leadership and to follow well, and you will become a more humble — and effective — leader. Watch out for leaders who do not want to be accountable to anyone. In many cases these are insecure and egotistical leaders whose sole interest in life is for his own personal interests and ambition at the cost of his people and the organization he leads.

2. Develop self-discipline. To make consistently good decisions, to take the right action when needed and to refrain from taking the wrong actions requires character and self-discipline. To do otherwise is to lose control of ourselves — to do or say things we regret, to miss opportunities we are given, to spend ourselves into debt.

3. Practice patience. Leaders need to remember that the point of leading is not to cross the finish line first.

It’s to take people across the finish line with you. For that reason, leaders must deliberately slow their pace, stay connected to their people, enlist others to help fulfill the vision and keep people going. You can’t do that if you’re running too far ahead of your people.

4. Seek accountability. The willingness to seek and accept advice is a great indicator of accountability. If you seek it early — before you take action — you will be less likely to get off track. Most wrong actions come about because people are not being held accountable early enough. Leading yourself well means that you hold yourself to a higher standard of accountability than others do. Why? Because you are held responsible not only for your own actions but also for those of the people you lead.

Leadership is a trust, not a right. For that reason, we must “fix” ourselves earlier than others may be required to. We must always seek to do what’s right, no matter how high we rise or how powerful we become.

These are great words of wisdom from the expert himself but the one thing he said really made me re-think leadership. Maxwell says: “If it’s lonely at the top, you’re not doing something right.”

And guess what? I think he is right!

For after all, the way to lead is through the way of service isn’t it?

(Book Cover Image from www.johnmaxwell.com)

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Leadership Gold

Mr. Francis J. Kong in his article at the Philippine Star today defined good leadership. What makes a good leader? Maybe it depends on who is answering that question. Some may claim that Ferdinand Marcos was the best President we ever had and others may proclaim that it was Ramos, Cory, Gloria and even Erap.

Some may base their understanding of leadership on accomplishment, education, technical background, ability to inspire others, charismatic appeal, etcetera.

But leadership, we may all agree doesn’t start on gathering people and ending on giving instructions and task delegation. It’s the whole process of leading and mobilizing the whole team to achieve a common goal. Moses had weaknesses but he managed to lead a pack of unbelievers turned converts. So, what is leadership? Let Mr. Kong elaborate on this by reading the following excerpts from his article, Leadership Gold from his column at the Philippine Star, Business Matters (Beyond the Bottom Line).

Good leadership always makes a difference. Dr. John Maxwell in his latest book entitled: Leadership Gold says: There are many people in the world who are willing to give advice on things they’ve never experienced. They are like bad travel agents: They sell you an expensive ticket and say, “I hope you enjoy the trip.”Then you never see them again. In contrast, good leaders are like tour guides. They know the territory because they’ve made the trip before, and they do what they can to make the trip enjoyable and successful for everybody.

A leader’s credibility begins with personal success. It ends with helping others achieve personal success. To gain credibility, you must consistently demonstrate three things:

1. Initiative. You have to get up to go up.

2. Sacrifice. You have to give up to go up.

3. Maturity. You have to grow up to go up.

If you show the way, people will want to follow you.

The higher you go, the greater the number of people who will be willing to travel with you.

How true this is. Our company has trained thousands of senior executives in our mere three years of existence and my partners and I have observed one amazing thing: That the toughest person to lead is always yourself.

To be successful in any endeavor, we need to learn how to get out of our own way. Here are four steps that can help you do that:

1. Learn followership. Arrogant leaders are rarely effective in the long run. They alienate their followers, their colleagues and their leaders.

Learn to submit to another person’s leadership and to follow well, and you will become a more humble — and effective — leader. Watch out for leaders who do not want to be accountable to anyone. In many cases these are insecure and egotistical leaders whose sole interest in life is for his own personal interests and ambition at the cost of his people and the organization he leads.

2. Develop self-discipline. To make consistently good decisions, to take the right action when needed and to refrain from taking the wrong actions requires character and self-discipline. To do otherwise is to lose control of ourselves — to do or say things we regret, to miss opportunities we are given, to spend ourselves into debt.

3. Practice patience. Leaders need to remember that the point of leading is not to cross the finish line first.

It’s to take people across the finish line with you. For that reason, leaders must deliberately slow their pace, stay connected to their people, enlist others to help fulfill the vision and keep people going. You can’t do that if you’re running too far ahead of your people.

4. Seek accountability. The willingness to seek and accept advice is a great indicator of accountability. If you seek it early — before you take action — you will be less likely to get off track. Most wrong actions come about because people are not being held accountable early enough. Leading yourself well means that you hold yourself to a higher standard of accountability than others do. Why? Because you are held responsible not only for your own actions but also for those of the people you lead.

Leadership is a trust, not a right. For that reason, we must “fix” ourselves earlier than others may be required to. We must always seek to do what’s right, no matter how high we rise or how powerful we become.

These are great words of wisdom from the expert himself but the one thing he said really made me re-think leadership. Maxwell says: “If it’s lonely at the top, you’re not doing something right.”

And guess what? I think he is right!

For after all, the way to lead is through the way of service isn’t it?

(Book Cover Image from www.johnmaxwell.com)

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"Fi Magas Akbar?"

I was standing at the front door of the store last night when I noticed a Saudi lady, probably in her early thirties, as she passed by me.

She was walking lightly, touching with her fingers the fabrics of the clothes displayed at the front gondolas. She proceeded to a carcase where a white shirt embroidered with different hues of flowers that I assumed she’d seen when she entered the shop.

She stood infront of that particular item, took a deep breath while her eyes were focused at the details of the embroidered flowers; felt the fabric with her fingertips and then walked around… then out of the store.

I felt her enthusiasm once she was inside the store; sensed her desire to wear that shirt probably in a night out with her friends and yes, I can symphatize with her when she walked out of the store frustrated.

No, she has the money to buy that shirt but she doesn’t have the body that would fit in that shirt.

Obesity is now a cause of alarm to health practitioners. I am obese as well, I know that and I admit that but no matter how hard I try to lose weight, it keeps on finding me.

That lady might be around size 30+++, too bad that the biggest we have with Next is only Size 20. It is a common “source of pain and disappointment” among women here in the KSA and I can tell that by having daily interactions with our customers. Many women would look for the nicest dress and the dreaded question would be “Fi magas akbar?”

Either you answer:

a. “Mafi”, Size 20 is the biggest size that we have (politely).

b. “Mafi”, you should try to check the items at Evans (suggestive selling).

But, they would insist on finding the biggest size; buy Size 20 items and refund it after 30 minutes.

I’m not sure if Next in UK is selling sized bigger than Size 20; they should launch that in Saudi Arabia.

Trivia:

1. After a group of ladies enter the shop, try checking all the items at each arm of the gondolas and carcases and you will see all the biggest sizes in front.

2. The fastest moving size for ladies wear is Size 14, the slowest? Size 8. That’s why during the sale season, Filipino wives are trooping the stores because we have the sizes that would fit them.

3. In an average, a lady who would buy a Size 14 item would have to exchange the item twice until she settles to a size 18.

I remember about 7 years ago, I was also in that same predicament.

Before my gallbladder was removed, I was a walking refrigerator. It was difficult also for me to find a shirt that would fit me.

One time, I was with my friend Vanessa and I was supposed to buy a white shirt for the sales rally of my previous company. We searched the whole mall in vain trying to find a XXL Shirt (after the operation I am now size XL… and growing…. and growing… and growing!)

First we entered Penshoppe at NE Pacific Mall and Vanessa asked the sales lady:

“Miss, may T-shirt kayong white?”

“Ay meron po, para sa inyo ma’am?”

“Ay hindi, sa kanya” then she pointed at me.

The sales lady exclaimed “Ay wala po kaming plus size!”

Next stop: Bench.

Vanessa again, “Miss, my t-shirt kayo na white?”

“Meron po, anong size nyo ma’am?”

“Ay hindi sa akin, sa kanya.”

Again when the sales lady saw me, “Ay wala po magkakasya sa inyo dito!”

Huh? These stores were not obese friendly!

Final stop, Dickies.

Now, it’s my turn to ask the question.

“Miss, ano ang pinakamalaki ninyong size ng white t-shirt na kakasya sa akin?”

“Meron po kami XXXL!”

Since then I’d been a Dickies fan.

It’s very humiliating to shop around and ask that question but hey, what can I do? My genes were defective that’s why I didn’t had the body of Conan the Barbarian.

Recalling that scene with the lady feeling the garments maybe hoping to wear the nicest dresses someday made me realize that we are really raising an obese generation (including me) and that steps must be made to resolve this, personally.

I mean, even the food price hike could not stop me from eating Qanta ice cream; I tried exercising but I easily get tired (Reminder: Hypertension, Gout and LVH); I dieted but failed (no rice, after six, low carb, low salary, working at Next); and the last resort that I did: “Eat whatever I wanted to eat and rationalize that I am going to live only once and pray to God that the foods I eat would give me strength!”

Amen.

(Image from http://www.gettinglean.com/thebiggestloser.htm)

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"Fi Magas Akbar?"

I was standing at the front door of the store last night when I noticed a Saudi lady, probably in her early thirties, as she passed by me.
She was walking lightly, touching with her fingers the fabrics of the clothes displayed at the front gondolas. She proceeded to a carcase where a white shirt embroidered with different hues of flowers that I assumed she’d seen when she entered the shop.
She stood infront of that particular item, took a deep breath while her eyes were focused at the details of the embroidered flowers; felt the fabric with her fingertips and then walked around… then out of the store.
I felt her enthusiasm once she was inside the store; sensed her desire to wear that shirt probably in a night out with her friends and yes, I can symphatize with her when she walked out of the store frustrated.
No, she has the money to buy that shirt but she doesn’t have the body that would fit in that shirt.
Obesity is now a cause of alarm to health practitioners. I am obese as well, I know that and I admit that but no matter how hard I try to lose weight, it keeps on finding me.
That lady might be around size 30+++, too bad that the biggest we have with Next is only Size 20. It is a common “source of pain and disappointment” among women here in the KSA and I can tell that by having daily interactions with our customers. Many women would look for the nicest dress and the dreaded question would be “Fi magas akbar?”
Either you answer:
a. “Mafi”, Size 20 is the biggest size that we have (politely).
b. “Mafi”, you should try to check the items at Evans (suggestive selling).
But, they would insist on finding the biggest size; buy Size 20 items and refund it after 30 minutes.
I’m not sure if Next in UK is selling sized bigger than Size 20; they should launch that in Saudi Arabia.
Trivia:
1. After a group of ladies enter the shop, try checking all the items at each arm of the gondolas and carcases and you will see all the biggest sizes in front.
2. The fastest moving size for ladies wear is Size 14, the slowest? Size 8. That’s why during the sale season, Filipino wives are trooping the stores because we have the sizes that would fit them.
3. In an average, a lady who would buy a Size 14 item would have to exchange the item twice until she settles to a size 18.
I remember about 7 years ago, I was also in that same predicament.
Before my gallbladder was removed, I was a walking refrigerator. It was difficult also for me to find a shirt that would fit me.
One time, I was with my friend Vanessa and I was supposed to but a white shirt for the sales rally of my previous company. We searched the whole mall in vain trying to find a XXL Shirt (after the operation I am now size XL… and growing…. and growing… and growing!)
First we entered Penshoppe at NE Pacific Mall and Vanessa asked the sales lady:
“Miss, may T-shirt kayong white?”
“Ay meron po, para sa inyo ma’am?”
“Ay hindi, sa kanya” then she pointed at me.
The sales lady exclaimed “Ay wala po kaming plus size!”
Next stop: Bench.
Vanessa again, “Miss, my t-shirt kayo na white?”
“Meron po, anong size nyo ma’am?”
“Ay hindi sa akin, sa kanya.”
Again when the sales lady saw me, “Ay wala po magkakasya sa inyo dito!”
Huh? These stores were not obese friendly!
Final stop, Dickies.
Now, it’s my turn to ask the question.
“Miss, ano ang pinakamalaki ninyong size ng white t-shirt na kakasya sa akin?”
“Meron po kami XXXL!”
Since then I’d been a Dickies fan.
It’s very humiliating to shop around and ask that question but hey, what can I do? My genes were defective that’s why I didn’t had the body of Conan the Barbarian.
Recalling that scene with the lady feeling the garments maybe hoping to wear the nicest dresses someday made me realize that we are really raising an obese generation (including me) and that steps must be made to resolve this, personally.
I mean, even the food price hike could not stop me from eating Qanta ice cream; I tried exercising but I easily get tired (Reminder: Hypertension, Gout and LVH); I dieted but failed (no rice, after six, low carb, low salary, working at Next); and the last resort that I did: “Eat whatever I wanted to eat and rationalize that I am going to live only once and pray to God that the foods I eat would give me strength!”
Amen.
(Image from http://www.gettinglean.com/thebiggestloser.htm)

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Maling Akala

Di na malaman ni Andrew ang gagawin. Kanina pa niya tinatawagan sa telepono si Mitch pero di pa rin ito sumasagot.

“Tang ina naman o”, sabay dial niya muli ng number ni Mitch.

Sa kabilang banda, nakatingin na lamang si Mitch sa kanyang cellphone, tila iniisip kung sasagutin ba ang mahigit ng dalawampung beses na pagtawag ni Andrew.

“Kaloka, wala bang magawa ang lalaking ito?”, tanong niya sa sarili at sabay suksok sa bulsa ng pantalon ang cellphone na hindi sinasagot.

Ilang araw na ang lumilipas ng magkasagutan sila ni Andrew sa harap ng restaurant na pinapasukan ng lalaki.

“Ano ba gagawin ko sa iyo, ang dami kong tawag wala ka namang sinasagot ni isa!” singhal ng lalaki.

“Sino ba kasi may sabi na tawagan mo ako?”, pabalang na tanong ni Mitch.

“Alam mo ba, ang daming bakla na nanliligaw sa akin pero ikaw ang ginusto ko, ang daming nagkakandarapa sa akin diyan ah!” pagyayabang na sagot ni Andrew.

Naguguluhan si Mitch sa sinasabi ng lalaki.

Para kasing sa tingin niya, bakit ito ang nagpupursigi na ligawan siya.

“E di sagutin mo silang lahat! Wala akong pakialam dahil hindi naman kita hinahabol!” pagalit na sagot ni Mitch.

“Ano pa ba gusto mo? Ako na nga ang tumatawag sa iyo, ako na nagpupumilit na matulog sa inyo pero ayaw mo pa rin.”

“Unang una di kita iniimbita at di kita kailanman pinilit na tawagan ako kaya puwede ba wag mong isisi sa akin ang lahat!”

Pagkasabi nito’y tumalikod na si Mitch at lumakad palayo sa restaurant dahil nakatingin na sa kanila ang ilang kasama ni Andrew sa trabaho.

Habang papalayo ay binilisan pa lalo ni Mitch ang kanyang mga hakbang.

Tila naguguluhan sa kung ano ba ang tama niya sanang ginawa o maling ikinilos na malamang ay di lubos na maunawaan ni Andrew.

Nagkakilala sila dahil sa kaibigan ni Mitch na nag-oopisina sa tapat ng restaurant na kung saan ay waiter si Andrew.

Pinagkakilala lamang sila ngunit di naman siya talaga naghahanap ng bagong mamahalin dahil ang totoo, pagkatapos ng tatlong buwan na pagkakahiwalay ni Mitch sa kanyang dating kasintahan, natakot na siyang magmahal muli.

Iyon ang una niyang tangka na buksan ang puso niya sa isang lalaki na kanyang pinagsilbihan at minahal ng totoo pero humantong si di magandang pagtatapos ang kanilang relasyon.

“Hay, sabi nga ni Rico Yan kay Claudine sa Got To Believe, Love is saying goodbye to your fondest dreams and saying hello to your worst nightmare!”

Ilang ulit na sinabi ni Mitch ito sa sino mang magtangka na magtanong tungkol sa kanyang lovelife.

Pero sa kanyang paglayo sa restaurant ay tila gusto na niyang maiyak.

Maraming tanong ang gusto na niyang masagot.

Wala na nga bang magmamahal na lalaki sa kapuwa lalaki? Totoo kaya ang sinasabi ni Andrew o tulad din siya ng iba na gagamitin siyang taga-luto, hingian ng pera at taga-laba?

Mga tanong na kailanman ay di niya masagot at di mahanapan ng linaw.

Pagkatapos ibulsa ang cellphone at di sagutin ang mga tawag ni Andrew, bumalik sa pagtatrabaho si Mitch at tinigasan na ang loob sabay bulong sa sarili “Kailanman, walang lalaki na magmamahal sa isang tulad ko, gagamitin lang niya ako tulad ng iba, manigas siya!”

Samantala, sa kabilang banda ay naguguluhan na si Andrew at naibulong din sa sarili habang inuulit na tawagan si Mitch “Bakit ba iba nararamdaman ko para kay Mitch pero ayaw naman niyang maniwala?”

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Can This Be Love?

Most of my “so-called friends” had been bitten by the love bug. Too bad that we cannot buy any ordinary ointment to ease the pain of nursing a “broken-bruised-beaten-stubborn-heart” of a “lonely-longing-male” who had been “hiding-keeping-privy” of his true feelings.

Out of the closet and into the real world. The truth is, it had been very hard to go through that process. People often think that being “out” means enjoying the freedom, being happy, creative, artistic and expressive, but the reality is one must consider first if he will be accepted for who he is or to be disowned by the people who “might think were misled”.

But being “out” is more about the feelings and less of the physical appearance.

Falling in love (falling out of love, finding again and making the same mistakes) is also part of a painful and emotional rollercoaster that one must endure.

I’ve seen so many “intelligent-bright-genius” men who chose to be fooled by “loving-caring-cash deprived but good-looking” individuals. True, it is hard to find love without mentiong money, need, wants, desires, assistance but that’s the bold truth.

That’s why when a person shouts “Sabel, this must be love” for the nth time; all the members of the “yah yah sisterhood” freaks out and do the following:

a. Try to convince that person that being debt-ridden for ten years is enough

b. Force that person to adopt a puppy, a kitty or a birdie and fishy instead

c. End their friendship and look for more rewarding opportunities

d. Ignore that person’s feelings and let him suffer the consequences.

Too bad that people will never learn from this mistake and will keep on making these wrong decisions for the sake of having someone to send mushy SMS, cuddle with at night, prepare a hot meal and most specially whisper the words “I love you” on your mobile even though you are not aware if you are being heard on a speaker phone by his friends.

Not to forget that after the other guy had accidentally sent messages on your IM that were not meant for you; you still have the heart to forgive his mistakes because. “Sabel, I am in love!”

Love picture courtesy of Reuters.

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Can This Be Love?

Most of my “so-called friends” had been bitten by the love bug. Too bad that we cannot buy any ordinary ointment to ease the pain of nursing a “broken-bruised-beaten-stubborn-heart” of a “lonely-longing-male” who had been “hiding-keeping-privy” of his true feelings.

Out of the closet and into the real world. The truth is, it had been very hard to go through that process. People often think that being “out” means enjoying the freedom, being happy, creative, artistic and expressive, but the reality is one must consider first if he will be accepted for who he is or to be disowned by the people who “might think were misled”.

But being “out” is more about the feelings and less of the physical appearance.

Falling in love (falling out of love, finding again and making the same mistakes) is also part of a painful and emotional rollercoaster that one must endure.

I’ve seen so many “intelligent-bright-genius” men who chose to be fooled by “loving-caring-cash deprived but good-looking” individuals. True, it is hard to find love without mentiong money, need, wants, desires, assistance but that’s the bold truth.

That’s why when a person shouts “Sabel, this must be love” for the nth time; all the members of the “yah yah sisterhood” freaks out and do the following:

a. Try to convince that person that being debt-ridden for ten years is enough

b. Force that person to adopt a puppy, a kitty or a birdie and fishy instead

c. End their friendship and look for more rewarding opportunities

d. Ignore that person’s feelings and let him suffer the consequences.

Too bad that people will never learn from this mistake and will keep on making these wrong decisions for the sake of having someone to send mushy SMS, cuddle with at night, prepare a hot meal and most specially whisper the words “I love you” on your mobile even though you are not aware if you are being heard on a speaker phone by his friends.

Not to forget that after the other guy had accidentally sent messages on your IM that were not meant for you; you still have the heart to forgive his mistakes because. “Sabel, I am in love!”

Love picture courtesy of Reuters.

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"Hulog Ng Langit"

“Hulog ng Langit” – I am thankful that Bernadette Sembrano is again back on her feet giving hope to our “kababayan” in need of assistance. Lukso ng Dugo and Nagmamahal, Kapamilya were two shows I love watching because I can feel Ate B’s sincerity and emotions each time she lends a helping hand. Thank you Bernadette, you are heaven sent indeed. Visit the Hulog ng Langit blog (http://atebernadette.blogspot.com/) and learn more on how we can help and “be a blessing” to someone in need.

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"Hulog Ng Langit"

“Hulog ng Langit” – I am thankful that Bernadette Sembrano is again back on her feet giving hope to our “kababayan” in need of assistance. Lukso ng Dugo and Nagmamahal, Kapamilya were two shows I love watching because I can feel Ate B’s sincerity and emotions each time she lends a helping hand. Thank you Bernadette, you are heaven sent indeed. Visit the Hulog ng Langit blog (http://atebernadette.blogspot.com/) and learn more on how we can help and “be a blessing” to someone in need.

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Mothers

I am thankful and honored that Mr. Francis J. Kong allowed me to post in my blog some of his articles. Thank you Mr. Kong and I believe that you are God’s instrument in helping us understand the real meaning of life. I am posting his article that was published today in the Philippine Star as he pays tribute to our moms.

Mothers

BUSINESS MATTERS (BEYOND THE BOTTOM LINE)

By Francis J. Kong Sunday, May 11, 2008

At one point during a game, the coach said to one of his young players, “Do you understand what cooperation is? What a team is?” Little Johnny nodded in the affirmative.
“Do you understand that what matters is whether we win together as a team?”
Again Little Johnny nodded yes.
“So,” the coach continued, “when a foul is called, or you’ve fouled out and taken off the game, you don’t argue or curse or attack the referee. Do you understand all that?”
Johnny nodded yes.
“Good,” said the coach. “Now go over there and explain it to your mother.”
Ah mothers! Where would all of us be today without them?
One mother has a way of efficiently speaking her mind through the message she leaves on her answering machine and it goes this way:
Hello. This is your Mother!
If you want my advice: PRESS 1
If you want to argue: PRESS 2
If you want to leave a message: WAIT FOR THE TONE
If you want to aggravate me or borrow money: HANG UP!
John Merrill writes this:
“A young, awkward boy grew up in southern California, plagued by a learning disability that in later years would be called dyslexia. But with his mother’s encouragement and admonishment, he became a strong and capable leader.
Years later he was commanding thousands of young Americans in war.
When General George S. Patton (old “Blood and Guts”) found himself in North Africa grappling with the German Army, his thoughts on the battlefield were often of his mother. It was his mother, he often told colleagues, who ingrained in him the leadership qualities that he was to become famous for. His only regret was that he never expressed sufficient appreciation to her.
“Darling Mama,” he began in a letter he wrote after her death, in words that pained him, “You are still very near. I never showed you in life the love I really felt nor my admiration for your courage.”
Paul Harvey says more “… the ally, the constant companion who read to him what he could not read … who first taught our nation’s greatest cavalryman how to ride. … The friend of his youth who recognized the first beginnings of greatness in a small boy — and prepared him for a world of men — was a woman. Mrs. George Patton, Senior. His mother.”
Do you know that a nation is judged by the quality of its mothers? And when mothers force their daughters to go out of the country….to sell their bodies and earn those dollars….to exchange their dignity and marry someone so they can have a change of citizenship….you will begin to realize that we all have a long way to go as a people.
But then again there are the godly mothers who rear their children correctly. Thank God for them and today we need to remember them and pay them tribute.
But I guess my paying tribute to all the godly mothers out there will have to come in the form of a letter sent by a person to her mother and it goes this way:
DEAR MOM,
You made me go to Sunday School; You insisted that I get a college degree;
You made me go to sleep by 10 p.m. when I was an adolescent; You made me come inside when it got dark; You told me not to play with matches; You corrected my grammar; You made me wash my hands; You made me eat my vegetables;
You made me walk my dog; You wouldn’t let me cross the big street until I was ten years old; You made me use a handkerchief instead of using my sleeve; You told me to do my homework; You made me stand up straight, and take my hands out of my pockets; You made me look it up in the dictionary; You wouldn’t let me have dessert before dinner; You made me pay for Mrs. Santos’ window;
You made me clean my room; You made me put my money in the bank; You made me throw out the trash; You wouldn’t let me watch too much TV; You made me turn down my music; You wouldn’t let me get a motorcycle; You made me get a haircut;
You said that I couldn’t have snakes; You wouldn’t let me spit, or pick my nose;
You slapped me on the rump just because the principal called; You wouldn’t let me smoke grass or drink booze; You wouldn’t let me play with firecrackers;
…Come to think of it, you sure weren’t any fun…
…But I thank you for it today. For I am who I am because of you!
THANKS MOM!!
And to the mothers out there who feel lonely and forgotten……
Sam Ewing says: “When you feel neglected, think of the female salmon, who lays 3,000,000 eggs but no one remembers her on Mother’s Day.” And my wife The Ilocana says: And they even serve salmon on Mother’s Day….ah….what sacrifice!
Happy Mother’s Day!
(Francis Kong will be the lead trainer for the Dr. John Maxwell’s “Developing the Leader Within You” leadership program this May 13-14 at EDSA Shangri-La Hotel. For further inquiries contact Inspire Leadership Consultancy Inc. 632-8129125)

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