The Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Cups of Coffee

This narrative was sent to me by a friend. I don’t know if you already read this but I want to share it to you guys…I find it so meaningful in our busy and very hectic day to day activities.

When things in your lives seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee. A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls . He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous “yes.” The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand . The students laughed. “Now,” said the professor as the laughter subsided, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things–your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions– and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car. The sand is everything else–the small stuff . “If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued, “there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls . The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important. “Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18 holes. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first –the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand . “One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. “I’m glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.

Speech on my 25 years

It was twenty five years ago when I make my first step to Mercury Drug…I was only 19 at that time…so young to be given a job and trusted by a progressive company like ours. I never imagined that after 25 years I am standing here in front of you accepting my statuette, an effigy that will remind me of the years that I’d spend with this company.

What I am today is the result of the 25 years I’ve been with Mercury Drug. Mercury Drug instilled in me the character of having self-confidence, self-discipline, commitment, dedication, loyalty, sacrifices, to have “Malasakit” and to help other people.

Life in Mercury is so challenging, full of so many experiences that at the end of the day you’re going to sigh “Have I done that? Wow!” Well…I did it! How many typhoons passed by on my 25 years of service? I can’t count anymore. Leaving our family with a heavy heart just to be there in our branch notwithstanding that our family may be in danger! Well…we all do that. I never also imagined that I can reach the peak of Mt. Makiling there in Los Baños, Laguna together with other mercurians. And during March 1, our Anniversary, as a volunteer to our Operation Bigay Lunas , I have this kind of mix emotion, sadness by seeing those indigent people lining up to get free consultation and medicines. Happiness because I know I am a Mercurian in the sense that I have my monthly salary and all the benefits that Mercury Drug is giving us. I am also now a member of lecturer for those who will be promoted, thanks to the committee who pick me because it gives me so much pleasure to share what I know in the branch operations, to share my knowledge and experiences.

What more experiences I will not forget? It was during 1984 to 1987 when I became the Chairman to the Mercury Family Council whose purpose is to have a vital link in maintaining harmonious Management-Employee relationship. And on 1991 I became an Asst. Branch Manager, and finally after a long wait I was finally given the signal to handle my own branch. As a leader I felt the mammoth weight of responsibility and I thanked Mercury Drug for the belief and I promise you that I would execute my managerial undertaking to the paramount of mutual interest.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my family, my daughter Jech, a registered Pharmacist, my son Ojey who will finish his study next year with a degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering, Gray, a freshman taking up Computer Science, their departed mother, Millet a Branch Pharmacist when she died 9 years ago. I also would like to thank my wife, Marie, who is also a Mercurian, she’s always there for me through ups and down, and to my new sets of babies, Vetvet and Botbot.

I would also like to thank all my Managers and District Managers who have handled me. Thank you for the unwavering support. All of them are exceptional leaders in their own technique. Special mention also goes to our AVP-South Metro Manila Region, Vice-President, Metro Manila Region, President of Mercury Drug Corporation, and our dearly beloved founder.

As what have been said in my favorite character Spider-Man, “with great power comes great responsibility”. As what our slogan say “Sa Mercury Drug Nakasisiguro Gamot ay Laging Bago, for me as an employee I will say “Sa Mercury Drug, Kinabukasan ng Pamilya Mo, Tiyak Siguradong Sigurado! Thank you Lord. Thank you Mercury Drug! Congratulations to all of us and good afternoon.

Vetvet dancing ala Marimar

This is my daughter Vetvet…showing her talent in dancing ala Marimar. This is the first time she joined a contest but unfortunately I was not around that time. But I’ve seen it in video…the move of Marian in Marimar is so easy for Vetvet. Hehehe…mana sa ‘kin ‘yan sa sayawan. Anyway…Congrats Vetvet…I love you.

bawi na lang next year

Yesterday was the last day of our bowling tournament. Actually, it is for our team only. We didn’t make it to the top ten. But we have a good day…we enjoy our last game…I only have 140 and 150 for my two games. Our team suffered a great setback since as I have said before many of my co-players were new, and also, I didn’t have my touch this year, my game is very inconsistent. The top ten teams will be back next Saturday to know who will make it to the championship…then for sure whoever made it will celebrate. But we have ours already…last night after the game the team sipped johnny walker, fundador, san mig light, asti, etc. It was fun…each story on how we played was very enjoyable to hear, the “kanal”, number of strikes and spares, the missed pin which is so easy to hit, the “tsamba” roll, it was really great. To my co-players namely Domz, Rio, Leo, Rene, Jez, Weng, Mel, Hazel, and Flor…thanks for giving your best. Thanks also to all the Managers and to my brod Pholly who is always there to watch us. To our big boss Mam Babes….Cheers!!! Bawi na lang tayo next year.

Mountain Climbing

Mount Makiling is located in the province of Laguna, it is an inactive volcano which rises to 1,090 m above the sea level. Legend surrounds the mountain the folkloric stories of Maria Makiling. It was during semana santa when me and my friends decided to climb the mountain. All of us do not have a proper education in mountain climbing but through sheer and guts and with the help of a guide we made it to the Mud Spring…and Peak 2. Two of my colleague didn’t reach the peak and I thought my wife and daughter could not make it too but alas! They’ve made it. After the climb we told to our self that we will do it again…but it never happened. To all guys up there who like some adventure why don’t you try it?

Finally!!!

Finally…The long wait is over! Our budget hearing is finally over. I just have to submit the approved budget on Monday to the management. Actually the proposed budget I prepared for almost a month was presented in just less than 5 minutes and presto!!! Approved!!! Whew! Just like that…

Exhausted Day!

For the past few days me and my co-managers have a very tight schedule…this is the month where we are physically and mentally exhausted. Imagine, forecasting what will be our budget for next year? We just compute and compute…think…think…think! Ahhh…grabeeee!!! Anyway, it will end on Friday when we present it to the management. Hope mine will be approved without a sweat.

Career and Family!

One of my co-employee will resign effective Sept. 15. She spend almost 8 years in our company as Cashier. Her next step in her life is to be with her daughter always who is with her parents in their province and to assume managerial position in one of her brother’s business in their hometown. She is really a big loss in our business but a person always decide what is best for her career and her family. To Ann and Wilson…wishing you the best and good luck!

How to Stay Young?

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay “them “
2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.
3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” And the devil’s name is Alzheimer’s.
4. Enjoy the simple things.
5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.
6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.
7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it’s family, pets,keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.
8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable,improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
9 Don’t take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.
10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity. AND ALWAYS REMEMBER: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

WHAT KIND OF MAN ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

In a brief conversation, a man asked a woman he was pursuing the question “What kind of man are you looking for?” She sat quietly for a moment before looking him in the eye and asking, do you really want to know? Reluctantly, he said Yes. She began to expound… As a woman in this day and age, I am in a position to ask a man what he can do for me that I can’t do for myself. I pay my own bills. I take care of my household without the help of any man… or woman for that matter.I am in the position to ask, What can you bring to the table? The man looked at her. Clearly he thought that she was referring to money. She quickly corrected his thought and stated, I am not referring to money.I need something more. I need a man who is striving for perfection in every aspect of life. He sat back in his chair, folded his arms, and asked her to explain. She said I am looking for someone who is striving for perfection mentally because I need conversation and mental stimulation.I don’t need a simple-minded man. I am looking for someone who is striving for perfection spiritually because I don’t need to be unequally yoked… believers mixed with unbelievers is a recipe for disaster. I need a man who is striving for perfection financially because I don’t need a financial burden. I am looking for someone who is sensitive enough to understand what I go through as a woman, but strong enough to keep me grounded. I am looking for someone who I can respect. In order to be submissive, I must respect him. I cannot be submissive to a man who isn’t taking care of his business. I have no problem being submissive… he just has to be worthy. God made woman to be a help mate for man. I can’t help a man if he can’t help himself.When she finished her spill, she looked at him. He sat there with a puzzled look on his face. He said, You are asking a lot. She replied, I’m worth a lot. Send this to every woman who’s worth a lot.