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April 2024
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ALWAYS THE MUSE4/10/2024 There's something about physical beauty that people values. In my culture, when you look physically better than all the rest, you get some special attention, whether you like it or not. Mestizas, half-Caucasians get to cover the major magazines and become showbiz stars and personalities. They are elected in public office and some get to really compete in beauty contests abroad and win prizes. If you're smart too, you really get places- a promotion, a graduate scholarship, more friends, and many more perks, perhaps. Nowadays, you might be suspected as a showbiz personality or a social media influencer and people will ask to have a photo session with you while walking in the mall or just doing your business. During my time in elementary school, classrooms would vote for the leaders such as the President and so on. For more than 3 years I got to be the Muse of the Class and then of course, I should have an escort. At first, it was fine, I didn't mind at all. If there's a school event, the Muse and the Escort of each class will lead the parade or be the representatives to meet honorable guests and VIPS. In short, public ambassadors. But after a while, being voted beautiful is not the same way as being regarded as smart, intelligent, or just a very interesting person. And you can be all of these too. Beauty is a value but superficial and over regard and valuation of physical superiority based on certain standards do not make the person more or less better than others. You need internal beauty that is a strong character and identity to weather the storms of life and become a much improved version of yourself. You need self-esteem that comes from within and no matter what you are good, enough, and sufficient for the task of your existence. No amount of makeup, plastic surgery, popularity, millions of social media followers, and doting from your friends and peers can cover the ugly and toxic aspects of one's personality and mask the real life your living. This pattern repeated when I was in high school. But by the end of high school, I was no more Ms. Muse. At the later part, I was voted Secretary and then Vice-President. My grades and overall standing mattered the most. I read more books and literature to keep abreast of international and local events and whatnots. I became a trivia buff, a bit nerdy on spy novels with a culinary bent. I became more well-rounded than just a person with a nice face to look at. After high school, I was never the Muse. In college, I was a consistent Dean's Lister for four years. I was Number 1 in one semester in my Department. I graduated with honors at the end of four years and moved on to take my graduate program. With the flippancy of youth and the culture that values physical beauty above everything else, a young person can stumble. But eventually, the real world opened up to me to rethink this experience and understand that beauty, fame, wealth, status, and even relationships come and go. There 's no permanency in these. You should have to learn quickly and take your genetic advantages and assets appreciatively while working on other aspects of life that needs more work.
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DELIGHT AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY3/25/2024 I just moved to a new celfone provider from one that I had for more than 3 years now.
The agent presented a better price, better service, better features, and overall ease with the move. I was convinced easily. Plus I didn't get charged for a connection fee. The best is that he knows who is he talking to: small business owners who are always on the lookout for better communications to power their businesses. The admirable part of it is that he got my data from the thousands of subscribers and zeroed in on what the segment I represented really needs. Their competitor had no clue as to what happened just that one subscriber out. We could be in thousands until it's too late for them to figure out what was going on. It's not rocket side to please a customer. You have these things and the switch will happen. Don't let your valuable partner, donor, or customer switch and disappear out of the blue. Mere satisfaction is a given. But surpassing expectations and finding out what would delight them at every stage of their relationship with you is the challenge.
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AGENDA-FREE3/14/2024 If you really want to build connections, you don't need an agenda. I have been going to meetings with my stakeholder, agenda-free. To most people this is counter-intuitive. But in recent years, I noticed an increase in more connectedness just because I'm not selling any widget, app, product, service, 50/50 tickets, a cause, or an agenda. I'm sharing my lessons learned, my insights gained from working with other organizations, some perspectives that could help them on the spot, and lots of valuable operational details they can help co-create with me. I'm being present, focused, and light. They don't want to be sold, they want to be heard. They want to be part of what your trying to be build- your raison d'etre. Don't come knocking down doors with some prescription. It's not going to work. They will clamp down and leave the discussion before it's ended. You wouldn't know the extent of the issues until you listen and ask some questions. Build connections that can outlast your own little agenda, that could multiply in many directions, business or personal or both. Come as a stranger and leave as a vital partner. You will never lose that way. |