In our class discussion of the work-leisure-integration
matrix, I was intrigued by the phrase
“sharpen the saw” which was under the heading Leisure as Utility in our Family and Resource Foundation Session 3 topic. Our DLSU-MBA BUS560M Professor, Ms. Pia
Manalastas said that it was the ” 7th
Habit” and was taken from the book of Stephen R. Covey (1989), 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
I have learned that it’s all about taking care of one
self. Focusing on the “ME.” Thus, my personal
definition of “ sharpen the saw” is basically about creating the time to do the
things that makes you happy every single day. I am a simple person, so I try to find joy
even in the cutest little things.
Like this morning,
while I was driving going to work, along the Coastal Road, I noticed the long
stretch of plants with yellow flowers, and these cheered me up, as
yellow is my favorite color. Even though I pass this way every day, this
morning was an extra beautiful morning because I started to look for other
yellow colored things like, there’s the yellow traffic light so I started to
slow down and then stopped. Then I made a left turn to Pacific Drive and
turned right to Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard.
On this long stretch of boulevard, I saw two big yellow Komatsu backhoes and several yellow crane
trucks parked on the left side of the
road, yellow lamp posts, the yellow painted Sentosia
Condominiums, yellow traffic
signs, yellow conduction stickers on cars, yellow car plates, walking laborers wearing yellow hard hats, the yellow logo of the Shell Gasoline Station and the yellow logo of McDonald’s . Then, there was a sporty solar
yellow Nissan Juke speeding past
me. What a great looking crossover!
Suddenly, I thought of singing….”It was an itsy bitsy
teenie weenie yellow polka- dot bikini, that she wore for
the first time today…” I laugh out loud after hearing myself sing this old song
of Brian Hyland because it’s only now that I realized that the bikini was also
yellow. What a lovely yellow day this is,
and it’s a Friday, pay day too!
 |
| Bought a pretty yellow shawl during the Arts and Crafts Exhibit at the Diamond Hotel after my meeting with the Philippine Association of Maritime Training Center Inc. on June 9, 2017. |
It was only when I encountered the phrase “ sharpen the saw”
that I came to realize that I was doing the deed even before. It’s just that
this time, I know what to label it. I
am self - confessed book worm thus, I have created a mini library in my house with various books on sales, leadership, religious, inspirational, real estate, finance, travel, gardening and cook books.
I have a dream of becoming a lawyer thus, there
was a time when I started hunting,
collecting and reading John Grisham’s legal thrillers. I always go to Book Sale
Store in any mall that I visit to check if they have hardcover copies of
John Grisham books. To date, I already have 23 out of his 36
novels and have read most of
them. I was also able to watch five of
the eleven film adaptations of his novels such as: The Firm, The Pelican
Brief, The Client, A Time to Kill and
Skipping Christmas. Other than novels, he also has four short stories and three
non- fiction works. I just love John Grisham’s brilliance as a writer and I intend to continue hunting for his books.
There are so many things that I enjoy doing but I prioritize the enhancement of my spiritual, emotional, physical and mental wellness. In terms of finding time for my spiritual wellness, I pray the rosary almost everyday while driving. Sometimes when I'm so inspired, I sing the Hail Mary Prayer so that my Mama Mary will be happy. I also salute her with three Hail Mary Prayers whenever and wherever I see her statue.
For my emotional wellness, thanks to modern technology, I see my family and friends on Facebook especially those classmates and relatives who live overseas. However, when I have the time, I call my family and friends and get together for lunch or movies at the mall to catch up on each other's life and activities.
I consider doing my household chores, gardening and cleaning my car, my physical activities as I don't employ anymore the services of a stay-in maid as I am living alone already and I go to work everyday that's why I have decided to just be in charge of taking care of the house. I also complement my physical activities with healthy food choices such as preferring to eat fish, chicken (minus the skin), fruits and vegetables.
My "sharpening of the saw" is a work in progress and I intend to slowly but surely incorporate and achieve each and every aspect of self-renewal in my daily routines.
No comments:
Post a Comment