After finishing "The Hunger Games" of Suzanne Collins I can't help but realize the following lessons that can help us in facing today's challenging landscape:




1. Survive by Focusing on Your Expertise

Katniss will not be alive if she did not focus on her skills. The bow and arrow which is her favorite weapon when hunting outside District 12 helped her in surviving and, eventually, winning the Hunger Games.

She realized that she cannot compete with the other 23 contestants without the bow and arrow. That is why she feels elated when she was able to have this weapon. And the rest of the story we already know.

Isn't it in real life we can only win if we use the gifts and expertise that we have?


2. The Greatest Thing We Can Do is Sacrifice Ourselves for the Good of Others

Katniss demonstrated this BIG TIME in two situations. One is by volunteering to substitute for her sister as a tribute. Second by opting to just be killed alongside Peeta, which save both of them, and be declared the winner of The Hunger Games.

Katniss also demonstrated this by supporting and providing for the livelihood of her mother and sister.

I believe that the more we help others the more we are blessed and the more good things take place even without us expecting it or when we need it badly.

3. Love provides the right decisions

Katniss loved her sister, her district, even Peeta. For this she made the right decisions by using Love as a guide.

I hope that to each and everyone of us, we can maximize Love to make the correct decisions in our life or even rectify the wrong decisions that we made.

Now, after writing all of this. I am looking forward to read Catching Fire - Book Two of the Story.

home

I miss this space.

It is a universe of a different plane. The busy world around me prevented me from visiting this sanctuary. Not that I am complaining. It is not like that but talking to myself through this medium is long overdue. Being alone and just thinking about the silence and digging deeper into the recessess of my mind is a journey I always enjoy and look forward ( although this opportunity seldom happens).

For the past few months I work and move like a blur. So many meetings that at this point I am thinking if its worth it. So many talks that I am thinking is it worth the effort. So many out of the office and home ventures that I am thinking is it worth if those time is spent with my family.

I guess reality in my time so fast that all the people around are moving crazy that also forces me to move crazy.

I don't mind if I am inside of this reality but right now I am looking for an epiphany. I am waiting for a burst of enlightenment. I am and I will wait for this time.

Trying time are here, and maybe everyday since the first day of history - trying times are present.This is true not only to each individuals but for businesses most especially.

But what do we do with this given.

There are several options:

1. To give-up and die on the process.

2. To run and hide before you reality caught you.

3. To stand and fight back, may win or lose, but come-out wounded.

4. To manage and strategize, lessen the risk and impact.

This are all path that we all can take.

However, if you ask me, I will select number 4. The difference between 3 and 4 is that in 4 you are managing your emotions and thinking with sensitivity of all the situations and developments that you are in.

We cannot influence or change the bigger things that are powerful and beyond our reach. But what we can do is manage our reactions in the center of these chaos. In addition, think of better ways not to be hurt or devastated in the things that are shaping in our very eyes.

I would like to immediately say that we should all think positive but as John Maxwell says we have to be realistic in thinking positive. We have to gauge what are our odds versus life and our personal battles.

This thing that I am saying is very much the same with running an actual event.We plan hard and do checklist in all possible needs and scenarios. Still, on the actual event some unexpected and unseen things happen. What we do is manage and strategize on how to solve the situation - this is the magic of operation there are always surprises but the key is managing it and making it look good in the end.

When the odds are against you, most especially, in these times you must FIGHT.

Fight because to withdraw will not do anything positive to you. Fighting does not automatically means violence. Fighting means standing-up and devising ways on how to survive the challenges hurled by the environment around you.

Fighting can be fun! To fight does not make you serious. Seriousness most of the times deprived you of creativity and the free spirit critical in winning a battle.

But when push comes to shove, yes be serious but after accomplishing the task, after winning the battle, bring the good old reliable smile on your face.

Fight because human spirit is made to make adversity kneel down and surrender to humanity.