The power of one

Let me do something different this time. Rather than the usual topics on leadership, career and business I would like to reflect on a very important fact of life. And that is ‘fullness of living.’

I recently gave a talk to the retired faculty of a very well-known school. The alumni associate came up with a program of helping these senior citizens with their health requirements and requested me to give a talk on practical money management and how to live a life of fullness in their retirement age. I accepted the invitation and I had a great time with these beautiful retirees who the alumni folks call their “second parents.” And then I took some time for personal reflection.

There was a time when I thought I would remain 28 years old forever. And now I’ve added a few more years to my life. But you know what? I’m happy. This is what I told the group, and this is what I would love to tell people who are in their senior years. I may not be wealthy, and I may not have all the best things money could buy but I sure have the best things money could never buy. Maybe this is the reason why I look at the years added to my life with a sense of fulfillment and joy. Never with a heavy sigh. I’ve had more friends through the seminars I’ve given all over the country plus a few ones abroad. I’ve had people come to me and say, “thanks, Francis. Your radio program, column or seminars really help me make it through a difficult day.” I’ve had people who would send me a basket full of fresh fruit with a simple note that says, “thanks for what you’re doing. You’re helping me and my family.”

Once, I gave a lecture to a group of graduating business students in one of the country’s top-notch university. And one very pretty young lady approached me and said, “I’m sure you don’t remember me but I do remember you. There was something you said when I was in my high school graduating class that really made me decide to be serious with my studies. Well, I’m still a year away from my college diploma but I’m in the honor roll.” So how do you put a price tag to all these wonderful things I have experienced in my life? You just can’t.

Life is so beautiful. Just like most of the people I know I have my own dose of challenges and trials. But at the end of the day, I still feel happy because life is a gift from God and it is a learning adventure. I’ve learned so many things in life. But the one most important thing I’ve learned is that you first have to receive and experience God’s love through Jesus Christ so that you will have the capacity to love others too. And this makes life so wonderful.

I just celebrated our 39th wedding anniversary with The Ilocana in a simple dinner with some of the kids via food delivery service and it was wonderful. Perhaps as we grow older, we need to learn to appreciate the simple things in life. I think the best thing to do in life is to bless and inspire others. As leaders we certainly are in a great position to do that. As people who can influence others with your life you certainly can be a great power in being “One.”

From an Author Unknown comes this advice. It would be very good for you to take it. Understand that you may be one but there is great power in being one.

One SONG can spark a moment

One FLOWER can wake the dream

One TREE can start a forest

One BIRD can herald spring

One SMILE begins a friendship

One HANDCLASP lifts a soul

One STAR can guide a ship at sea

One WORD can frame the goal

One VOTE can change a nation

One SUNBEAM lights a room

One CANDLE wipes out darkness

One LAUGH will conquer gloom

One STEP must start each journey

One WORD must start a prayer

One HOPE will raise our spirits

One TOUCH can show you care

One VOICE can speak with wisdom

One HEART can know what is true

One LIFE can make a difference

Alexander Woollcott says: “There is no such thing in anyone’s life as an unimportant day.” Let your day start and end with Christ and you’ll make it wonderful too.

(Attend POWER UP! WORLD OF CX as international speaker Krish Dhanam together with industry experts and practitioners AJ Rocero, Ralph Layosa, Josh Supan and Francis Kong share winning ideas on delivering Excellent Customer Service in the digitatal economy. Happening on Oct. 2 from 9-5 at Samsung Hall SM Aura BGC. For registration or inquiries contact Kim at 0977-700-0093; CJ at 0917-629-9401 or register online at www.powerup.ph)