The Seven Capital C's

Obviously this column title was derived from the rock band “Michael Learns to Rock”. Don’t know why but I’m into changing existing phrases and titles to my advantage lately. I can’t help it, haha! Anyway, I think it suits the whole writing thing because it’s been a while since the last time I wrote on a regular basis and now I’m trying to learn to write again. I’m neither good nor exceptional at this like my fellow columnists are so the tense of ‘learn’ here is still at its present form. I could have chosen “Michael Learned to Write” if only I could produce flawless artiks like Neicy. But no, haha! So bear with me every tenth of the month. I’m the last columnist to debut and my debut article is about tips that might be very well useful everyday. Try it for once, if it doesn’t bring you any good, just discard the whole idea, haha! Now, let me present you *drum roll please* The Seven Capital C’s! *clap clap* Hope you’ll enjoy it.

1. Cast away
Waking up is one of the best things that happens to us everyday. So try not to spoil it by thinking of all the problems you had yesterday and the ones that are in line to meet you as you stand up. Doing so instantly weighs you down and brings you immediately back to bed. (Ala pa man me-drain naka). There are things that are worth leaving behind like worries of failing the day’s exam or fears of screwing up in a presentation. It won’t help. Instead, start the day with a light heart and positive aura. Cast your burdens away including the disappointment for waking up even before the climax of your dream began. (Emu ne pakitagalan, ala rin, haha). Together with gargling, washing up and taking a bath which removes physical burdens perfectly braces you for a fresh start. (Try mu one time e magmulmul, patingapun kang mabayat panandaman diba?) This is precisely the point of casting away.

2. Catch up
A lot of things happen overnight so try to make up for it by reading the news or listening to the radio. Our country might already have changed from Republic of the Philippines to Bangsamoro Republic without you knowing. Same goes for the people around you and even those who are far away, ask them how they are and what’s up with them. One of my friends actually is about to be a daddy this month or he might already is, I don’t know. I just had knowledge of his girlfriends’ pregnancy last week and whoala, she’s giving birth this month already! I didn’t even know he has a girlfriend! Anyway, I missed a lot really because I was not able to consistently catch up with all the things; everything seems to be moving in rapid flux. Don’t let it reach the point where you barely know anything or anyone but your job or your course. So catch up on the lessons you’ve missed, on family and friends, on the recent movies and books, latest songs and gadgets, on our economy, on the Olympics, be UPDATED! You’ll never know, you might be living way too behind the others. (Pota managkat ka pang manalbeng Kung Fu Panda and Iron Man, nuko, komusta ka).

3. Copycat
Imitating is not a bad nor a prohibited thing, stealing is. We rub elbows with hundreds of people everyday, some we idolize, some we despise, some we don’t care about and some we notice. The point is, try to learn from all of them especially those who are closer. You are not numb to not recognize the strengths and weaknesses of each. Adopt the strengths and avoid the weaknesses, you’ll be surprised of the outcome and of how much you’ve learned from copying. Remember, speaking is one its products. I know no one who learned how to speak on his/her own (tabalu mu kareng aliwa). Another good thing with this is that it spreads, because someone will definitely notice your strengths and copies them as well (makarine nung ala lang akopya, tin kang problema nung makanita). BE CONTAGIOUS!

4. Critical
Be critical! We have the highest faculty of reason so being gullible is not an option, have a brain filter. You would not want to be absorbing all ideas without careful scrutiny and even a slight suspicion. Don’t tell me you actually believed in the text message regarding a magnitude 8 earthquake in the Philippines?! Haha! Know how to separate fact from fiction! Moreover, you should not just stand with the mistakes around you, try to clarify them – ask questions, give comments, and share opinions. (Masanting din kung pati keng sarili mu mag-criticize ka). A critical mind produces ideas that most likely won’t fall into error. Keep in mind that being critical is not synonymous with self-righteousness so be open to criticisms as well. That is why we have this so called “constructive criticism” to solidify schemas not to liquefy.

5. Calm cool
No matter how much you plan the day ahead, if something wrong will happen, it will. Remain cool whenever shitty things occur. Being otherwise will contribute nothing more than the worsening of the situation. The best thing to do is find a remedy. (Eka magbusit, masora la pa keka reng abe mu). And every time intense conversations take place, never tone with the other party’s mood and voice; it will just amplify the whole thing. (Eya sigo yan nung kalmadu ka mu kasi maglupa yang berat, haha). Always be suave and calm so you could organize your thoughts more and blurt nonsense words less. This helps; it will prevent you from being involved in more chaotic arguments and situations. Chill out!

6. Comical
Our face contains a thousand facial muscles so use them! Laugh and smile a lot or the muscles will simply sag like big eye bags. Never let a day pass without a smile crossing your face, it is a worthy exercise and medicine for the heart and soul – better than Century Tuna. Smiling attracts people but smiling alone kind of scares them (malamang). It is also the best way to make friends, to delay time to think of an alibi and the safest way to say “I don’t know” in a class recitation. In addition, try joking once in a while, even if no one laughs, they will surely appreciate the effort. Besides, no one has died yet for being corny so try cracking jokes until you get it right. This makes any setting a joyful place to be in.

7. Count up
Count blessings instead of sheep before sleeping. Evaluate your day, if you have slept even before you evaluate then good, it means everything is just fine, if you can’t sleep, then you’re in deep trouble. Tsk tsk. Examine the things you have done and what happened the whole day. Have you accomplished your day’s goal? Are you happy with it or not? If happy, sleep tight. If not, ponder on the things that you could have done to make the day better, asses your actions and plan instead of being depressed or emo. If you can’t think of a solution, sleep anyway and just cross your fingers and hope for a better day. This is the secret for having good dreams instead of nightmares.

I hope I did make sense. These 7 C’s are basically concepts which I got out of the 7th C, things that I think would certainly make each of my day way better and worthwhile. These are things I came up with in my sanctuary, which is my bed. So I don’t just sleep there, I think too. This proves that there are really lots of things you can do in your bed or wherever your comfort zone is. You can try to construct your own C's too (akalain mo!) depending on what will suit your needs better. Good luck! I wish all of you better and brighter days to come!