This week has been a challenging week for me. I have accepted a project which tested my physical strength, stamina and mental toughness–a five-batch, two-day seminar called Success Plus at the Medical Colleges of Northern Philippines and International School of Asia and the Pacific.
I can only say thank you Sunday. Because of you, I had a day-off!
But every single day I am spending here in the north of the Philippines, yes, in Tuguegarao City in Cagayan, I got some unique situations, too. For example, on the first day, I had a LBM. It’s tough to speak and laugh when you have it. Trust me. It’s challenging. It’s very difficult to perform when you are in pain. Nonetheless, I gave my all.
I spent my first night in the Valley with fever. Maybe that was the result of my fight against LBM. Considering that I had to make some necessary adjustment in my programs, it was tough to rest and think at the same time. But I barely have no choice but to do both. I didn’t realize how I did it. But I did.
The second day of the first batch made some clearer sense. While almost everybody said there’s nothing to apologize, I made an official statement before the beginning of the session. I started by making some apology which wrote:
Good morning!
I’d like to thank you again everyone being here. I can only hope to do a better job today. And I pray to be more discerning this time.
Yesterday, we have discussed many ideas on success. We have learned many things about life and how to go through it with purpose, direction and proper motivation. Specifically, many of you may have found some inspiration in my life story.
You asked me some questions that made a lot of sense. And I can remember clearly one question: Sir, do you think you are already successful? My answer was, ATM (At the moment, I think I am). I went on saying that if I’m having a bad day, I just wait for the calendar to turn because tomorrow will a brand new day.
Today is a brand new day. But I have to learn some lessons from yesterday’s experience.
My life as a professional speaker has revolved on entertaining people while giving them the inspiration they need to succeed. Obviously I do it in a very unique, unorthodox style. I make people laugh. But hopefully, I also make them learn.
Learning is easy when we are having fun.
I thought yesterday was just another speaking day for me. I drove 12 long hours to see all of you. With excitement, I barely took some rest. And then I suffered from LBM during my talk. I took it lightly but it was painful. I made some fun out of it but inside, I was battling the entire time. It was not easy to perform while in pain. But the show must go on and I had to do my job.
But yesterday was also unique. I think some beloved members of the administration got offended by some of my jokes. Some members of the faculty also felt the same way. Some of you may have taken it the same way.
I would like to take this chance to humbly apologize for the manner that had unintentionally offended some of you.
It was never my intention to offend nor hurt people. I don’t think I’d ever want to do that—ever. I didn’t sacrifice my time for my family to be away until Wednesday next week just to offend you. All I ever wanted is for us to learn together and have fun—nothing more, nothing less.
However unique this situation is, I am reminded by my own lecture yesterday—that my response to this situation is more important than the situation itself. I chose to say sorry because I thought that is the right way to start the day.
Rest assured that I will do my very best to make reasonable adjustments from my end without becoming someone I am not. I can’t be a boring speaker. I can only be me. I can only be who I am. I am not expecting that you will forgive me. I only hope and pray that you will understand.
Thank you.
The first batch gave me some hard time to adjust considering that I just came from a 14-hour drive from Manila but I am sure I’ve made some wonderful adjustments in no time.
Life will not give you exactly what you want. It will not give you exactly what you desire. It will not agree on every good plan you have in mind. It probably will give you all the opposite of what you wish things to happen.
But I guess taking some energy from people that matter to you as well as the people who love you is the best thing that you can do should you find less energy within. Take some strength from those who believe in you and your style of presentation. Take some motivation from those who laugh and learn from the way you teach. And just continue working on what you do best without having the compromise who you are for by the moment you lose your identity is the moment you lose your glory.
