5 Things That are Holding You Back From Success.

Conciously or unconciously, people are doing things out of habit that hinders one's situation to be successful. There are a lot of factors, and identifyng some of these factors can be favorable in starting  you on the right path to the goal your destined to have.

#HALF-HEARTED - A venture or endeavor will not work without passion, and passion stems from doing everything whole-heartedly. Imagine doing things without really giving it your all. Two things will either happen; you will never finish and quit or you will get unfavorable results. Do something your passionate about and work will never feel like work.

          #DOUBTS - The only one who knows you, is you. Your ability talent and gifts are woven into one great engine to drive you to your goal. Once doubt enters the fray, it messes up your groove to be on top of your game. It buries self-confidence and knocks you down the drain by telling you, "you are not capable of such greatness." The only way to set aside doubts is to forge ahead with courage even in the presence of fear and uncertainty.

          #PROCRASTINATION - Imagine Mark Zuckerberg procrastinating his creation of Facebook. You've got a whole new different social media platform called ConnectU, and a C.E.O. surname called Winklevoss instead of Zuckerberg. The greatest of men has the ability to see something great, implement and execute the plan, doing it now as if theres no tomorrow. The more you set aside fruitful and decisive activities for the next day, the more the rewards get delayed. Success is built on doing things now because at the end, using time wisely speeds up the journey to reach success on a faster rate.

          #CYNICAL - Among the more prevalent synonyms of being cynical, the word pessimistic and contemptuous stands out. The journey to success will often bring you the need to seek others for help, the wisest move would be to digest and learn the lessons from a more experienced and successful individaul. The worst is to be cynical about the person and his own success. There are more darker meanings of being cynical, but however you see it, cynicism is a setback to success waiting to happen. It erodes your ability to see the notion that; if succes can happn to a particular person then it is possible it can to happen to myself. Learn and welcome the sincere help from others  willing to guide you to success and never exploit that sincerity to get ahead.

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         #WORRY - A miniscule dose of worry is natural, but having it to  dictate every facet of your decision can impede the steps to your success. Worrying usually makes you imagine things than can usually go wrong but in reality, it is llike a mirage in the desert.  Why worry what could go wrong, when you can just imagine and be optimistic on what could go right. The only way to circumvent worrying is to replace it with positive thoughts, you don't have to worry when you know you've done everything you could to move forward.

A Beach and A Camper

Not to be an ignoramus, but this particular beach outing was extra special. It was my first time to be in a camper with a real living room, kitchen and all the stuff you see in it. What made it extra special was the location, it was an hour long train ride from Naples (thats in Italy not Florida). We got off at this station called Fondi Sperlonga and a car brought us to this beautiful beach resort named Holiday Village. This particular place had a place for campers and it has medium size pool and an immculate beach with sand and sun.

When I say immculate, comparing it to the beaches of Naples, I mean clean, no plastic wrappers, no butts of cigarettes, etc. I got to test out my GoPro Hero 4 Silver underwater and it was a blast. I think it was submerged underwater most of the time.

Apart from having a good time, we had that time off with friends whom we haven't seen a while. It was a complete escapade of sorts, no planning it was immediate and sudden. Until the next adventure, Berlin, Poland and Budapest.

The Never-Ending Circus that is Politics, Life and Status.

If there is one thing I can't give up, (even if I'm on hibernating mood) is expressing ideas into words. For the longest time, I suddenly stopped writing and concentrated my thoughts on other things. But you just can't escape things that are ingrained in your system.This year has been fantastic, as dreams do come true--literally. Gratitude is a by-word these days and it's being repeated almost everyday. I guess when you look at yourself and be thankful for the things you have, for situations that evolved into opportunities and for the never-ending blessings, you tend to look at life in a positive way.

So what happened? Got this great opportunity learning the Italian laws on immigration for foreigners. We have this great organization that helps process and facilitate documents of foreigners living in italy. You get to be decisive and fortunate enough to use some brain cells from time to time. Plus, you get to sit in a nice chair and pounce on a keyboard for a change.

 A lot has changed since my last entry, had a chance to travel to other places of interest and add a few extensions on the cultural diversity aspect. Got a little old but wiser but still the same when it comes to being an on-line geek. Which brings me to Zuck's creation, where people and places meet. The status nowadays are about politicking, Election is around the corner and you can just imagine the volumes of posts concerning the electoral frenzy. Hated politics since I was little, that was the time when my dad used to tell stories about my uncle staying in the same detention block as Ninoy Aquino. Well, that wasn't the reason why, it must have to do with that thing as being dirty to the point of mud-slinging ones reputation. Anyway, when you open up Facebook you get to see a lot of details about a politician's life. They excavate everything; from citizenship, to the piles of anomalies, to being a womanizer and last but not the least, the UFC-like dares. I can enumerate a lot of ways just to say that this truly takes the cake on immaturity and child-hood fantasies gone wrong. But since I withheld my rights to vote, I'll zip this one out, ok but I do have one thing to say; "don't believe everything you read on Facebook." The only thing that is certain is that snap-shot of a meal you are having on a sunday night, captioned; "happy tummy." Zuck's corner has become so mainstream that the military secret word "OPSEC," has become non-existent.    

 Anyway it's a free world anything you post there is your responsibility. But this is why, from time to time, you clam yourself up like a hermit because you want to just retreat in your personal space and leave every information the way it should be; private. There will always be that something you want to share, but to share your whole world along with every knook and crany imaginable is just so way out of line. That's just my mind talking.                                                            

6 Ways to Thrive and Survive in Italy

This applies to people who are actually considering to stay in Italy and make it their second home, (job or whatever). While it takes time to adjust to a new country,  taking these 6 considerations to heart may make the process a bit easier. These are borne experiences I had after 10 years of staying in pasta land.

1. Learn the language - You dont have to be perfect at it, but you have to know how to strike a simple conversation. This is all about the 90 percent of Italians who don't speak the "million dollar language," (english). While I've made up the figures, more of it comprises the city of Naples. Without learning the language, going out to buy, or do something is a frightening proposition. Speaking the language is one step further to independence, and a shield to being a total imbecile. 

2. Bring your family on board - You have to see for yourself, the everyday hardship of struggling with homesickness and loneliness. Then you can add to the equation, and as a result; a broken family because of father's, or even mother's extra-

curricular activities. Family on board means bringing your wife, children,  or even siblings to be with you through a petition or through the direct hire program. It may not guarantee as a prevention to bigamy, but in times of financial constraints 2 sets of income are better than one.

3. Health is your number one priority - Remember when the body is not in sync, you can't work. In Italy, when your sick, you are left to fend for yourself because everybody is at work. Although, healthcare can be almost free in Italy, with the right connections, it is a serious burden to be in.  Speaking with sincerity, as Ive experienced being bedridden for 3 years because of Pott's disease. When your sick in pasta land it can be very ugly. 4. Finding true friends - Friends that do not cloud your senses because of envy or hatred. But because they honestly want you to do the right thing. Filipinos living in Italy are in competition with each other. They would do anything to get ahead, even if they have to chop your head for it. If that doesn't work, they would back stab you with words or make gossips about anything, just to put you down. True friends are literally finding that proverbial "gold in the streets."   5. Do not be "deep in debt" - while having debt is a given if you are living abroad, being "deep in debt," is burying yourself in a monetary quandary. It is applying one loan after the other. Buried so much with payables, you can hardly keep up. The result; you can't keep up with your obligations thus having  more money problems and destroying your reputation. I've heard a lot of stories about Filipinos relocating to another Italian zip code because of being "deep in debt." 6. Travel and see the world - while some people constrict their time in Italy as pure business, others like me, mix business with pleasure. If you are a resident of Italy whether temporary or permanent, you are given the privilege to go to other European countries without the burden of applying for a visa. As long as the country is occupied by the Schengen Area, (The Schengen Area is the area comprising 26 European countries that have abolished passport and any other type of border control at their common borders, also referred to as internal borders), then you are good to go. While we have different set of ideals on dealing with stress, for me travelling is a stress-buster that recharges my human battery. A good idea if you want to work a many number of years in Italy.

Generosity & Blessings

I was planning to write a subject about photography, but a wind of wanting to say "thanks," intervened. The year 2014 has been a "banner," year for us, so to speak, and has brought abundance in every shape or form. This year brought us to new places for months in consecutive fashion. We finally met friends for life. Financially speaking, material things overflowed on our coffers. There is great happiness when you are free from worries, but what we realized is that, there is more joy when you reached out and be generous once you are in that specific situation. By generosity, we do not equate it solely on sharing material things, but by sharing your time, talent and even a shoulder to cry on. 

Generosity opens up a whole new world of opportunities and friendships. It reveals your inner self and your potentials as an individual. When I was offered the job of teaching the Filipino community about the basics of computers, I was hesitant because of my zero knowledge in teaching. But when I realized that it can help me improve in public speaking, gain new friends  and improve my love of computers, I obliged. I realized that without the generosity of sharing what I knew, I would simply be limiting my personal growth and impede a multitude of blessings to flow. Being generous is also intertwined with sacrifice. Teaching would meant getting up early on a sunday morning for almost 3 months. 

But after everything it was all worth it. I came to know people on a personal level, not just because of gossips and hearsays. We broaden our world with generosity. Money would come everytime we need it, sometimes even more. Being generous and serving people are also connected in some level. It can lead you to prosper in a specific business. The more people you serve the more wealthy you become. The next time you are faced with the opportunity of service to others and being generous in the process, do not hesitate. For here lies the greatest blessing you will ever receive in your life.

The Simple Investment

The third article was harder than what I've expected. Since time shrunk out as the years passed by, writing has taken a backseat. Anyway, got the nerve to push that finger on the digital keyboard and tackle something important. Did you ever heard of the clich'e, "be an OFW, save some money, go back to the Philippines and start a business." It has been said a million times before, but the results have been the same. More OFW's have been slave laborers until even after 60 years old. They come back to the Philippines with nothing to support their remaining years. 

Since I have been accustomed to ride against the waves and not go with the tide, I made it a point to start a simple investment. It would require a miniscule capital, but it has the potential to be huge in terms of financial gain. That investment is network marketing. Apart from the majority of eyebrows raised, this endeavor gave me a chance to imrpove various facets lacking on my personality. The ability to talk to people with ease, to be business-minded on a specific level, and to prepare myself for the financial future. The whole point of this subject is not whether network marketing is a scam or not, but to be able to jump and try an opportunity, (with careful analyzation regarding legitimacy, documents etc.), that comes your way. 

Since the above-investment utilizes leverage, ( The ability to influence a system, or an environment, in a way that multiplies the outcome of one's efforts without a corresponding increase in the consumption of resources), it was a perfect way to jump in the entrepreneural band-wagon. The problem with a typical OFW is usually not the capital, but an idea for a business venture. What business to put that capital to good use. Since network marketing is an "idea made," the only thing to do is dole out the cash for capital. Not all people are made for network marketing, but for the few who have a bigger picture in mind and who would want to have time and financial freedom; then this is the business venture fit for you. 2 things to consider when you jump in on a specific network marketing company. First, you have to endorse a product that you have tried and personally believed in. Second, value for your money or the capital you put in. Most people or OFW for that matter, get stuck in their situation because they are either too afraid to try, or they are fickle-minded enough to part ways with their hard earned cash.

The 2nd Smallest Country in the World

Our very first time to join a tour would definitely pave the way for more to come. Monaco dubbed as the "second smallest country in the world," is a haven for people who want to relax as well as gamble. It was also the premier location were Ian Fleming's Casino Royale was shot. The whole trip would have been perfect if not for the weather, which was drizzling, surprisingly, on a cool December morn. The whole place was so clean that you can't even see fallen leaves. 

While the city would leave you in awe, the cars would equally grab your attention. Ferraris, Range Rovers and Aston Martins roam the small roads on an ordinary day. A quick research

concluded that before, Monaco did not imposed taxes on its residents, hence, it would make sense to buy properties in Monaco and make it your second home. Since much of Monaco was situated in the territory of France, it relinquished majority of its acres to the french people, resulting in imposition of taxes for foreigners. 

The country's main source of income is thru casino and gambling, hence the birth of Montecarlo, a region of Monaco, where majority of casino and gambling sites stood. For everyday visitors, you are welcome to enter a particular casino, but citizens of Monaco are prohibited. The only advantage of being a Monegasques, (a citizen of Monaco), is exemption from taxes. For Formula 1 afficionados, Formula One Monaco Gran Prix is held each year. Fast races passing by the Circuit of Monaco which started way back 1929. 

It was indeed a glamorous city where the rich and famous, would stop once in a while to enjoy the view. After passing by Monaco, we went to Nice (pronounced neece), France to enjoy a sumptous dinner hosted by Kentucky Fried Chicken. Also passed by this beautiful Russian Cathedral also in Nice.

Starting Anew

As I celebrate my 10th year here in Italy, I've decided to re-construct my blog into something better. Call it starting from scratch or a new beginning. I was getting a little bored on the content and how it looked. So I dug deep into the theme options of blogger, and found something that would add some spice, and a little make-over. I also deleted all of the past entries, since the topic would be starting anew. For me, I think it is important to kick-start a new beginning from time to time. 

Even Michael Jordan had to re-do himself after venturing off to the wilderness of baseball. He came back a much better person, and a nastier basketball player. It is also a chance to get back at something I was passionate about from the start, and that was writing. Writing had taken a backseat from my other activities which includes; being a network marketer, computer technician/instructor, caregiver, traveller, part-time photographer and    poker player. 

All of these activities were meant for me not to get bored easily, and a chance to find out where I'm good at. It also gave me an idea of topics to write about. I did that when I had this blog at the start, but it was riddled with mistakes and it was really just a mess. Now I can start writing my adventures again from being in the world of pasta and pizza, to venturing off into unknown places, and doing some of things I'm passionate about.