Monthly Archives: November 2007

Solomon on Empty Pleasures

Posted on November 29, 2007 by lifejourneycoach| Leave a comment

I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure. So enjoy yourself.” And behold, it too was futility.
Ecclesiastes 2:1

Solomon’s stature, wealth, women, and fame would be every man’s dream. Think about it! He had it all! He was to be envied not only by mere men but also men of stature like him.

He indulged himself in terms of kingly and manly pleasures. Yet in the end he found it empty. The feeling of emptiness will never leave a man who chases pleasure for pleasures sake. Because pleasure does not have the size to fill the emptiness in the soul of man.

I am not promoting asceticism. Man was made to experience pleasure. But I am not promoting hedonism either. It is chasing the wind. And it is a shameful level for any man.

Men may seek to fill that void, trying to experience one pleasure after another, yet in the end it is not enough. Only God who is bigger than the universe can fill that emptiness. Only He can give real satisfaction for the soul.

What should a man do?

Enjoy life but fear God.

By Ed Pilapil Jr. ©

Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible®,
Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973,
1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

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Posted in Life

Tagged empty pleasure, fear God, pleasure, solomon

Chasing the Wind: When You Lose Meaning in Life

Posted on November 28, 2007 by lifejourneycoach| 2 Comments

I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after wind.
Ecclesiastes 1:14

Ever get fed up? There are seasons in life that we feel this way, especially when expectations fail us. Even the most patient among men may give in to disappointment.

Remember Moses? The meekest of men in his time lost his temper. Instead of speaking to the rock as the Lord commanded, he hit it with his staff. He finally vented his emotions. He grew tired of the grumbling and murmuring of the Israelites. Maybe he expected more from them.

Ever felt exasperated? Forgive me for the silly question. Let me rephrase it. Have you been exasperated continuously? Maybe by the economy? By public service? By relationships? By your co-workers? Maybe not. Maybe often.

It may happen to us and to many others. What can we say? Life can be full of disappointments. Sometimes because we feel limited in changing the situation or perhaps we have tried to improve the situation but nothing.

Ever felt tired of life? Do you feel like chasing after the wind? Chasing nothing. Is it worth it? Trying to fix that relationship. Is it worth it? Building that business. Is it worth it? Hoping for the best.

Solomon, the wisest of kings in his time, did feel weary of all that he saw and observed in life. It seemed that he lost meaning. And I believe he did for a while. But I also believed that he regained meaning when he finally came back to the source of meaning – God Himself.

One thing for sure. You cannot stay in these states for a long time. It will sap away your energy and zest for life. Anyone can rise above these feelings of weariness. If you do it alone, I believe you’ll end up there again and again and again.

If you look to God and learn to revere and love Him, see all the great things He has done, you can rise above the weariness. A whole new perspective and energy will come in. A deeper life begins.

By Ed Pilapil Jr. ©

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Posted in Faith, Life, Reflection

Tagged chasing the wind, God, Life, meaning, zest

Testimonial: Better Marriage and Business through Coaching

Posted on November 26, 2007 by lifejourneycoach| Leave a comment

We met Coach Ed more than 15 years ago. Our marriage relationship was not stable, we fought almost three times a week. Dean Misajon, an acquaintance of ours introduced us to Coach Ed.

He obviously saw that we needed spiritual foundations. We met with him regularly to learn. We both saw God’s design for marriage. We did our best to follow it. It was no easy road though. Several years passed before we were able to say that our marriage was doing well. But the good thing was, we understood the principles that must be followed.

We used to run the most successful restaurant in our town, Los Banos. The secret was simple: good location, TV, and beer. But we sensed that it was time for a change of career because we felt bad when men go home to their families’ drunk. We had our sights on real estate.

Coach Ed introduced us to the people who could help give us the training and exposure. In the mid-nineties, we decided to put up our own real estate agency. It was Coach Ed who gave us a simple but powerful suggestion.

He told us to clearly define the vision and to post it in our office where everyone can see it. He said that it had a biblical foundation in Habakkuk.

The effect in our team was positive. Everyone knew our direction and it kept our team motivated especially us. As a couple we stayed the course.

We had to admit that we swerved from our main purpose a couple of times. But the vision to be an excellent real estate company in the area always brought us back. Through much faith and works, we are happy that the company is doing better than expected.

We asked Coach Ed to help us again, this time for both our Internet marketing business and to help analyze our company. Our web site has been attracting 12,000 unique visitors per month but Coach Ed believes we can do more. He saw that we were only applying a few strategies. He believed that if we applied 5 or more strategies, we can easily double our income.

Our whole team is happy with Coach Ed on board. One of our partners said that he sees Coach Ed as one of the best motivational speakers in the Philippines. The whole team is always motivated after a talk from Coach Ed.

Edwin and Analyn Pages
Philrealty Global Marketing

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Posted in Faith, Family, Goals, Personal Change, Success

Tagged analyn pages, better business, better marriage, business coach, edwin pages, life coach

Testimonial: Dealing with the Past, Moving Forward

Posted on November 25, 2007 by lifejourneycoach| Leave a comment

Hi. I am James Day. A Mechanical Engineer and businessman by profession. Allow me to share my wonderful experience and encounter with Ed Pilapil Jr.

I met Ed Pilapil Jr. in 2005. I knew him before for his effective motivational speaking but not yet as a personal coach. That time I was at the lowest point of my career and personal life. While I am a person of multi talent and much passion for excellence, I had a series of successes and failures. It was frustrating.

Imagine all the effort you put in to establish yourself only to lose everything in an instant. What a waste of time and resource. Now, I realize that I could have simply avoided all these had I sought the council of a wise man like Ed Pilapil Jr.

Like an athlete, I have blind spots. I have bad habits and personal issues that needs correction. I was stubborn though to believe that everything was alright. It was a sure formula for failure. What was my problem? A lot.

I picked up a lot of wrong values and habits from my childhood. Moreover, I realized that I had a lot of hurts and hang ups, unfinished businesses so to say. Who doesn’t? We all have one way or the other. These problems led me to make wrong decision and choices in life. It also adversely affected any relationship that I may establish in my personal life and career.

After two years, I have recovered quickly from my failures and Ed Pilapil Jr. was the key. How did he do it? He listened, he gave feedback, and he referred me to people who could help me. After much consultation and regular coaching, I was able to deal with my past, undergo healing, break my bad habits, and gain new perspective in life.

The first year was the hardest as I had to unlearn many things, break away from my routine and learn new ways of doing things. Surely, Ed Pilapil Jr. was patient, understanding and inspiring. What did it take for me to reform? All I needed was an open mind, a willing heart and a teachable attitude. Today, I am happy to tell you that I have reestablished my business, reconciled with friends and partners, and rebuilt relationships with my siblings. What have I learned from all this?

Firstly, it is of utmost importance to truly know yourself, your strength and weaknesses. This is the first step to progress. But, the process can be made easier and with minimal loss if you have a coach to point this out to you. Secondly, understand the people around you and sincerely care for them.

It is only after you have established peace and harmony with the people around you that you will be able to maximize productivity and promote success for everybody. Coaching is contagious. Now, after many sessions with Ed, I too have learned the skill to coach other people as well. Influencing people in business, family and community has becomes much easier.

With the help of God, now I am ready to accomplish even greater things. To my coach and my friend, Ed, thank you for everything that you have taught me.

James V. Day
Engr. & Businessman

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Posted in Life, Personal Change, Success

Tagged Ed Pilapil Jr, James V. Day, life coach, Success, Testimonial

Chasing the Wind: When You Lose Meaning in Life

Posted on November 25, 2007 by lifejourneycoach| Leave a comment

I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after wind.
Ecclesiastes 1:14

Ever get fed up? There are seasons in life that we feel this way, especially when expectations fail us. Even the most patient among men may give in to disappointment.

Remember Moses? The meekest of men in his time lose his temper. Instead of speaking to the rock as the Lord commanded, he hit it with his staff. He finally vented his emotions. He grew tired of the murmuring of the Israelites. Maybe he expected more from them.

Solomon, the wisest of kings in his time, did feel weary of all that he saw and observed in life. It seemed that he lost meaning. And I believe he did for a while. But I also believe that he regained meaning when he finally came back to the source of meaning – God Himself.

One thing for sure. You cannot stay in these states for a long time. It will sap away your energy and zest in life. Anyone can rise above these feelings of weariness. If you do it alone, I believe you’ll end up there again and again and again.

If you look to God and learn to revere and love Him, you can rise above them. A whole new perspective and energy will come in. A deeper life begins.

By Ed Pilapil Jr. ©

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Posted in Faith, Life, Personal Change

Tagged chasing nothing, chasing the wind, Faith, solomon, weary soul

When Success Makes You a Failure

Posted on November 23, 2007 by lifejourneycoach| 2 Comments

Life is full of paradoxes. One of them is failure due to success.

When can success make you a failure? There are different ways but I have written seven for your indulgence.

Perhaps you may validate some of them due to your personal experience. Or, be warned lest you fall in the traps.

1.   When you do not have a holistic view of success
2.   When you make life all about you
3.   When gain makes you lose the more important in exchange for the less important
4.   When you begin to talk trash about others
5.   When you no longer appreciate the simple things in life
6.   When you stop improving yourself because you feel you have arrived
7.   When your success does not benefit others

I am not in anyway against success. In fact, I applaud people who strive to reach them. In a way, having high goals can be good for the inner man.

What I am concerned about is to see a good and talented man change for the worse because of success.

Perhaps you can add more to the list. If you do, please do not forget to send it to me. I promise to acknowledge you when I add it.
By Ed Pilapil Jr. ©

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Posted in Life, Personal Change, Success

Tagged change, failure, Success, worse success

Abraham Lincoln on Success and Failure

Posted on November 22, 2007 by lifejourneycoach| 18 Comments

“My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure.” – Abraham Lincoln

Failure can either break us or make us. Those broken by failure are haunted by unpleasant memories. These memories are like shadows that lurk in front, behind, beside, beneath and above. It is also a cage that traps the mind, preventing it to entertain possibilities of freedom and success. They are convinced that they cannot do it; therefore, they will not try.

For those that failure could not break are those who became made “men.” Failure to them is not a ghost, but a friend who taught them well. It is also a stepping stone to wisdom. These men and women are convinced that true failure only happens when one gives up.

History has been kind to President Abraham Lincoln. He has been painted as probably the greatest president of the United States of America. It is the good thing that history also recorded his failures. It reflected his frail humanity but also showed his attitude of never giving up.

These failures could not stop him, he kept moving forward. The following is a short list of his ups and downs and ups.

*1831 – Failed in business
1832 – Defeated for legislature
1833 – Again failed in business
1834 – Elected to legislature
1835 – Sweetheart died
1836 – Had a nervous breakdown
1838 – Defeated for speaker
1840 – Defeated for elector
1843 – Defeated for Congress
1846 – Elected for Congress
1848 – Defeated for Congress
1855 – Defeated for Senate
1856 – Defeated for Vice-President
1858 – Defeated for Senate
1860 – ELECTED PRESIDENT

He was defeated more times than he won, but that did not mean he was a failure. Remember, that failures are only permanent if we stop trying. I believe the only real failure is the failure not to move on.

———————————————————————————————-

the only way
to deal with failure
is to learn from it
and move on

———————————————————————————————-

Brix, a friend of mine, narrated his adventure in climbing Pico de Loro, a mountain that spans parts of Cavite and Batangas, Philippines. He said that he was exhausted and was about to give up. He told the guide that he wanted to go down. But the guide said that he was only a few more steps from the peak.

What a waste of effort if he gave up. But his efforts were rewarded by the view and by the lesson. Now he can’t stop talking about the experience.

A breakthrough may just be a few steps away. What a pity for those of us who would stop moving on. As far as I am concerned, the only way to deal with failure is to learn from it and move on.

The end result for Mr. Lincoln was that he became president and through his influence, was able to defend the constitution by winning the civil war, and was able to free slaves in certain states through the Emancipation Proclamation.

He even tried to give voting rights to the African-American people for which he was assassinated. He has been long gone yet he is remembered dearly by all who read about his story. His very name is a legacy of success!

What would be your end result? You may not know everything but you can determine your attitude to failure. You can either allow it to break you or allow it to make you. Your call!

By Ed Pilapil Jr. © - life coach, business coach, motivational speaker

*Source: Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times by Paul Lee Tan

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Posted in Leadership, Success

Tagged Abraham Lincoln, failure, Success

Prayer: call him Father

Posted on November 22, 2007 by lifejourneycoach| Leave a comment

In this manner therefore, pray:
Our Father who is in heaven…
Matthew 6:9a

Addressing God in this intimate and personal manner was revolutionary. Before Jesus made this statement, God had been referred to as Jehova, the I Am Who Am, and many more. But this time Jesus introduces Him as Father.

God has been known as the Creator, the Holy One, the Righteous One, the One to be feared and worshipped. And it is just proper to continue to see Him as such, and to give proper worship and adoration that He deserves. However, God being Father to us reveals that part in Him that is endeared to us, that part that shows concern for our every situation, that part that loves us without end.

When we approach God in prayer, we must understand in our spirit the Fatherly love that He has for each of us. The Father loves us enough to sacrifice His only begotten Son to die for our sins. He loves us enough to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. He cares enough to listen to our prayers, and to answer our prayers if it will not bring harm to us.

With the knowledge of all this love, let us still remember that He is in heaven and we are on earth. He is heavenly, we are earthly. A stark contrast. He is high above, we are earth-bound. We must approach Him in humility even as we recognize His Fatherly attributes.

And that is how prayer should be. Approaching God with confidence because of His love through Christ, yet humbling ourselves in reverence, still recognizing that He is all and we are none.

Lesson Highlights:
1. Be intimate with God when we pray
2. Always remember to approach in humility

Study Guide
1. Why is it revolutionary when Jesus told His disciples to call God Father?

By Ed Pilapil Jr. ©

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Posted in Prayer

Tagged Prayer, Spirituality

The Extraordinary Life

Posted on November 22, 2007 by lifejourneycoach| Leave a comment

Extraordinary. Ordinary. The real difference is just a little extra. However, it is actually a whole lot more if accumulated through time.

Every person has the opportunity to be extraordinary. All that’s needed is the decision and the determination to consistently do the extra.

In the 1940s a respected senator who was admired for his knowledge was asked, “You never spent much time in college, if any. How did you acquire your understanding of national and international affairs? Where have you learned so much about so many things?”

His answer was direct, “When I was 18 I made a rule that I would read 2 hours everyday. Whether I am in a train, in hotels, in waiting rooms…”

Reading for two hours everyday made him an expert without spending much time in college.

That little extra accumulated through time compounds. People who will never sacrifice for that little extra everyday or every week will never be extraordinary, they will remain ordinary forever.

In basketball, an extra field goal, or an extra rebound, or an extra steal, or an extra turn over; can determine between winning and losing.

The coach understands the importance of that little extra in every area. A dynamic team will always strive to give a little more than their best.

If every member of the team gives ten percent more, the end result is not ten percent increase in the bottom-line. It is so much more.

This is also true for any business. Try increasing the rate in every sales activity by ten percent.

If we increase the number of leads, conversion rate, number of transactions, and profit margins each by ten percent; the result is not ten percent more in the bottom-line. It is so much more.

Life upholds the same principle. We then must make the extra effort to strengthen our emotions, our minds, our relationships, our faith, and our finances. If we improve every area of life just a little bit everyday or every week, we will find that it accumulates. The result will be total life improvement.

That little extra accumulated through time compounds. Teams and individuals who will never sacrifice for that little extra will remain ordinary forever.

Do you want to have an extraordinary life?

By Ed Pilapil Jr. ©

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Posted in Personal Change, Success

Tagged asia, coach, Extraordinary life, Life, little extra, philippines

When Wisdom is Wearisome

Posted on November 20, 2007 by lifejourneycoach| Leave a comment

I said to myself, “Behold, I have magnified and increased wisdom more than all who were over Jerusalem before me; and my mind has observed a wealth of wisdom and knowledge.”

And I set my mind to know wisdom and to know madness and folly; I realized that this also is striving after wind.

Because in much wisdom there is much grief, and increasing knowledge results in increasing pain.
- Ecclesiastes 1:16-18

Isn’t it such an irony that the wisest king of his time, maybe even the wisest king in history, would say such things?

How can he put wisdom and folly as both chasing after the wind? Is it really meaningless to pursue wisdom? Has his heart changed?

If we read the whole book of Ecclesiastes we will understand that he has not changed his heart. He still values wisdom over folly.

What I conclude is that king Solomon had times that he felt weary of everything. That happens to us all.

I feel that the king is disappointed in the many ironies of life. And this, we must accept. Life is full of ironies.

If you allow me to be a bit lose in my words, I would say that life is full of the unexpected.

Justice is not always served. Those who must be punished by law escape, ironically through the law itself. They that do not deserve reward are the first to be rewarded.

The hard-working farmer is not always the first to enjoy his harvest. Some of it are stolen before he begins harvest. Worst, if ones hard-earned savings are stolen by men who never lifted a finger work.

And fairness, I believe it does not exist. What is fair for one, may be different for another.

The man who worked so hard to provide for his wife and children may end up betrayed by the very wife he loves, or scorned by the children whom he worked hard for.

A friendship forged by steel end up melted by the fires of greed or misunderstanding. Sworn enemies become allies for the sake of self-preservation.

Sigh! We can go on and on.

So what is the point in becoming wise when you cannot predict your end? Why not be just the fool?

Each of us must have our reasons. I have mine. At the end of everyday, at the end of every stage in life, I am still with myself.

If I will play the fool and shun wisdom, I will live in a disgraceful manner that even I may not be able to respect.

No matter what end, even if it seems chasing after the wind, I will pursue wisdom. Because in the end, beyond the perspectives of others, I have a conscience to live with.

I must make every effort to live well with myself and in the final day, I know that God will judge me for my actions.
By Ed Pilapil Jr. ©

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Posted in Faith, Reflection

Tagged solomon, tired of life, weary life, Wisdom

Monthly Archives: November 2007

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