Things I want to invent

"I"
I am not sure if there's a non-doctrinal non-sectarian inspirational magazine here in the Philippines. I envision the articles to be full of encouraging anecdotes and insights from key people. It'll be a daily dose of positivity and good spirit! I'll call it I-Magazine. It'll be online but if it hits big, it'll be on print some day.

I'll start collecting stories, snippets, and experiences so when I'm ready to launch, it'll all be there. I'm so excited!

"Non-stick Price Tags"
The next thing I want to invent is a little more high-tech. You know how much pain it is to peel off a sticky price tag from a book you bought? You use your fingernail and try to take it off then it tears. It is a test of patience. And if you're successful you'll be dismayed to find there's a sticky spot where the tag used to be. It'll attract lint, dust, hair, and other scary stuff to stick to it. Ugly! So...

I propose a bookstore solution. No more price tags! What bookshoppers simply need to do is to scan the barcode of the book under a device and it flashes the book title, author and price. Then the person can decide if he wants to buy the book. He simply carries it to the counter and pays for it. No more sticky mess.

I hereby claim to be the originator of these ideas so no one dare steal them!

A free dinner at Alba

My wife, Veck, is a pediatrician, and every once in a while pharmaceutical companies would like to promote their products to doctors usually by holding seminar talks introducing their brand milk or vitamins. Usually, these events include a free buffet dinner.

Two nights ago, MeadJohnson got together pediatricians from National Children's Hospital (where Veck is taking up her residency training) and Jose Reyes Hospital to promote their new milk brand: Smart10. The chosen venue was Alba, a Spanish restaurant along Tomas Morato.

Veck got me to tag along and the initial plan was that I'll wait for her at Figaro, just across the corner. I have my book to read and she'll give me a ring once the presentation/dinner was over. I was feeling a bit hungry, so I said I might as well wait in Alba and pay for my own meal.

Now if you're thinking that I went in, pretended to be a doctor, mingled with my wife's colleagues, enjoyed myself to the free dinner and actually sat in during the presentation, well, that's exactly what happened. I had my fill of canonigno, paella, mushrooms, enselada.

During the lecture, with nothing much to do, I thought I might as well listen. Dr Gacheco talked about the importance of proper nutrition and nurture. I learned that young children are rapid learners as their brains are developing, especially up to two years old. It is then very important to engage them in play and put them in sensorially stimulating environment. Play Mozart, put colorful mobiles and pictures, have a baby handle a rattle.

I thought a lot about Dana and how I need to expose her to more learning-inducive environments; read books to her; play music and dance with her. The important thing is these activities have to be fun.

I thought artist dates ought to be that way, too. Fun and sensorially stimulating.

Now at the end of the lecture the speaker gave out a Survivors Quiz. The winner takes home Spanish sardines. I got eight out of nine answers right, besting the doctors in the room. Ha! How's that for someone who was just pretending to be a doctor!

What I learned from William

This post ought to be divided in two. The first part would be what I learned from Tj Domingo, or what I learned onstage. The second part is what I learned in William, meaning what I learned backstage.

What I Learned From Tj
"God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble." This is the truth I encountered in Tj's story. God loves boys, and He trains them to become real men. Often, He uses difficult and humbling experiences to cause a young boy to grow into maturity.

I learned that God loves me and I am His boy. That He desires to be my Father. Oh, if only I would let Him!

I also learned to rap and dance. And that popularity is not everything the media say it is. It's not that important. What is important is being genuine and sincere.

What I Learned Through The William Production
I learned not to be naïve. I used to believe that everyone who works in the theater, that great vassal of truth, is genuine. I learned that's not true. I learned that just because a person is a stage actor and pays lip service to playing for truth on stage does not mean he is honest in real life.

There are theater practitioners, I found out the painful way, who are plastic, hypocrite, would never live out whatever education or good values they present on the stage.

But a real artist is always generous, selfless, ego-less, honest, sincere, truthful...on stage and off. This is the kind of person I want to be. No compromises! To work for truth, not for popularity.

I used to say that there is no difference between the church and the theater because I worship God in both. I realize there's a fundamental difference all along. The people in my church are loving. The people in the theater are not always so.

Mideo's art and the Christian artist

Ask God if he was insulted by the exhibit. Last I heard he's still on his throne, not up and panicking over Mideo's art. I've a suspicion the inspiration for that exhibit even came from the Holy Spirit Himself. Man was created in God's image, and the Vatican and 'moralists' have tried to reverse that by creating God in the image they like, and when something goes against that they react with indignation.

If you read the Bible, you'd find out that the Bible itself does not censor. Aaron the High Priest became leprous. King David, the man after God's own heart, committed adultery. The Bible never edited these scandalous details out. So, if you read the Bible, you'd find out that Jesus, while on the cross, took upon Himself all the sins and kabahuan and kabastusan and the indecent acts of the world. All. That's why the Saviour is the Greatest Artist ever.

For one, that's just the "traditional" face of Jesus, as proliferated by the Vatican for people to worship. It's not the real Jesus. No one knows how Jesus looks like, and the Bible actually forbids making any image of him. So it really wasn't Jesus Mideo put the penis on.

Besides, it is God who created penises and vaginas. It is man who sinned with these.

But if all art were symbols, then I can look at it this way: When He died on the cross, He took all these sins upon Himself. The images Mideo created were not beautiful. They were shocking. But they present a certain reality: that God took upon Himself the sinfulness of mankind. Who knew what God saw when His Son carried all the sins of the world? Jesus cried, "Eli Eli lama sabachthani?" I am sure not even Mideo's art could capture that reality.

Personally, I am against any form of censorship in art. Why won't the politicians crack down on Bench billboards displaying women and men in their undies along EDSA? That's way more public than an art exhibit in CCP. And that "photography" is not art. It's just commerce. A walk beside the Quiapo church has idolatrous images being sold beside wiccan black candles and pornographic DVDs. I once called the VRB and said pedophile-themed porno were being sold in Cubao. They said they already knew. But the DVD-sellers are still there. I once asked the peddlers if they have children themselves and if they weren't appalled by pedophilia. I forgot that some parents sell their own children out of extreme poverty. In a glorified form, at Willie Revillame's show, scantily clad girls dance provocatively, and a young boy named Jan-jan with tears in his eyes danced like a macho dancer to a cheering crowd. These are more readily available to the public than Mideo's gallery.

I feel personally offended when during the Holy Week when I want nothing else but peace and quiet, there'll be my neighbours getting a bunch of old ladies to recite the Orasyon or Pasyon using a mic with karaoke with volume turned up real loud. Here's what I do: tolerate, tolerate, tolerate. I tell myself, it's their tradition. In a way it's oral poetry, hence art. That's what I tell myself. I tell myself, sure, they can do it the traditional way, sans the technology of the microphone to save the rest of the neighbourhood headaches, but I just let them be.

I humbly submit Mideo's art can be used to share the Gospel... to show in a very visual/shocking way what Jesus did. He took our shameful sins upon Himself. And I'm taking Paul's attitude. "So long as the Gospel is shared." The whole idea of the Perfect Son of God dying on the cross for man is scandalous itself. It shakes us to the core. Every time na lang ba that there are people offended by art ipapasara na lang basta-basta? What kind of artists does the government want to create? Artists who make MMDA Art of pastel colors and basic shapes to cover up anti-government graffiti?

I won't take my own daughter to see Mideo's art, of course. If I wanted to share the Gospel to her, we'd read Narnia together. But Mideo's art has its intended audience, and reached very few of them. Nanalo pa rin ang moralists at ang Catholic Church--who would rather preserve its power than let the government save lives through the RH Bill; who would rather silence the families of their pedophile victims with money and drive around in SUVs.

Mideo's art just shone a light on a reality that most Filipinos have grown too jaded to face: in this "Christian nation of Asia" who do we really worship? Sabi nga ni Leo Abaya, sakay ka nga lang ng jeep. Katabi ng images of God Bless This Trip ang isang hubong babae kita boobs nagsasabi Seksi Lang Puwede Sa Harap. Sini-censor ba yun? Nope. Kasi dito, Commerce has become the god of the nation.

It is up to us Christian artists to continue to create art that glorifies. I may not create art as provoking as Mideo's, but I wouldn't create "safe" art either. Jesus wasn't safe. He was dangerous. He took a great risk to save us. Even CS Lewis said in Narnia, "He's not a tame lion."

My two cents' worth.

Dana hurt her left shoulder

Two days ago, when I arrived home from work, Veck said Dana rolled off the sofa and hurt her shoulder. Dana seemed however, her usual self, except for some tenderness in her left shoulder. Yesterday Veck suggested we take Dana to a "manghihilot." "Hilot" is a traditional massage in the Philippines that realigns one's posture. Veck said she noticed that Dana has some difficulty raising her left arm up.

I prayed because I didn't feel right about the hilot. So I wrote in my notebook and asked for guidance. I felt we should have her x-rayed and be looked at by an orthopedic. So that's what we did this morning and the x-ray revealed a hairline fracture. Fortunately, one of Veck's co-residents at the pediatric hospital, Dr KC, is also an orthopedic. He advised an arm sling. Veck asked if he would advise hilot and he said no. He said that for children this is the most common fracture and it would heal naturally in two weeks.

We bought Dana an arm sling but she refused to wear it. Like absolutely went wild--so it sort of defeated the purpose of trying to immobilize the arm. I just asked the nanny to make sure she doesn't play around too much.

One of the nurses brought her son to the ER where we were. The little boy was running around playing. Dana was standing there admiring the curtains. I had the intuition that the boy might shove Dana, but didn't pay attention. I was texting my supervisor advising them that I might not report for work or for rehearsals.

Then it happened. The boy roughly shoved Dana and she fell on her back and hit her head. With panic Veck cried. I picked up Dana who was also crying. We were really worried and I told the boy in Tagalog: "Do you want to be guillotined?"

His mother came and spanked and spanked him in front of everyone--something that I am against: spanking children in public. Well, I am also against allowing your child to play where they shouldn't. We were at the ER, not a playground. But I also felt I should have listened to intuition and told the young boy gently but sternly that this wasn't a playground. If I had done that then he wouldn't have been running around.

I didn't go to work but spent the day with Dana. She was supposed to go to my sister's place because it's her cousin's birthday tomorrow and she was supposed to spend the weekend but I thought it's better she's not surrounded by playmates. We arrived home around noon and she
was in a good mood and wanted to play. I was careful to watch her that she doesn't force her left arm or shoulder. She still refuses to wear the arm sling.

We both fell asleep during the afternoon. I woke up at five thinking whether to go to rehearsals or not.

Oh boy, the joys of parenthood.

First William Blocking Rehearsal

Tonight was William's first blocking rehearsal. For the past week, we've been through hip hop classes, "rap"-preciation or rap classes. Last night we had a music rehearsal. (Quick note: I strained my vocal cords. I was stretching my breath to reach many syllables and after I felt the tiredness in my throat. Not good. I need to support, support, support.)

But tonight was fun. I do have bad habits I carried over to tonight's rehearsal. First, I kept reading negative vibes into Chang Maribel. I was "mind-reading" her and feeling that she's thinking she made a mistake in getting me for this play, that she thinks I'm an idiot, that she'll just try to be patient because it'd be hard to pull in another actor and all that. This kind of infected me, and so during the blocking I let Norbs, my alternate, take first hand. It's kind of a disadvantage when you just "follow" someone else's blocking instead of finding your natural impulse. But still I let myself do it.

But during the blocking when it was my turn I had fun a bit. I kind of did my own thing. Chang gave us an assignment: make a narrative timeline of our characters. When Norbs was rehearsing, I already began to hear Tj's (my character) story in my head, so I immediately took to my notebook and jotted it down. I didn't finish, but at least I have some track rails laid down. When I finish it (our deadline is Saturday), I'll post it here.

We were given re-written scenes 1 to 4. I think the new rewrites are more fun to work with than the previous drafts. It's less contrived. I began to see how Chang plays around and lets her imagination free rein during the directing. I also see the other actors staking and trying. I should learn to do the same.

Well, I'll need to study the script and my character. Tj is athletic. I'm not. Going home I saw two boys playing basketball. I need to learn those moves. I will.

PETA's Care Divas: The show must go on!

PETA's Care Divas run is going up almost 70 shows, and then they'll go on tour. I've seen the show about five or six times (I lost count already). It never grows old. This is definitely one show that must go on.

A lot has been said about the musical in other reviews, about the great ensemble of the actors, the LSS-causing music of Vince de Jesus, etc. What I want to write on is how the play has touched me personally. So in a way, this is my own personal take on Care Divas. Every time I see Care Divas, God speaks to me and tells me to do three things. Most of it is centered on prayer. He says pray for the OFWs, pray for the LGBT community, and pray for peace in Israel. These are themes in Care Divas that touched me the most.

The plight of OFWs

As a son of OFW parents, I grew up through my high school and college with my parents abroad, working. My Dad is an engineer in the Middle East, and my Mom is a casino manager in Canada. You've probably heard it over and over as I have: "Hindi biro ang maging OFW." "Ang laking sakripisyo ng mga magulang mo para sa inyong magkapatid."

Hear this a number of times and you get used to it. Care Divas took away the patina of nonchalance in my heart towards OFWs, particularly towards my parents. Now that I'm a parent myself, I realize fully what it means to do everything and anything to make sure your children gets a good future.

My Dad's home for a few months. He's completed his employment contract. Already he's busy scouting for more employment opportunities--not here, but abroad. I asked him, "Dad, pareho na kami tapos ni Ate mag-aral. Pareho na kami may kani-kaniyang pamilya. Maybe it's time you rest from working." He said, "Ngayon I'm doing it for my apos."

Besides the weekly phone calls and email exchanges, I haven't seen my Mom in years.

God said pray for the OFWs. It's never an easy life, here or abroad. Pray for the families of OFWs. It's not something we should take for granted. Hopefully, in my lifetime, Filipinos wouldn't have to leave their loved ones just to put food in their mouths. And hopefully, my generation, the children of OFWs, learn to value what great sacrifice our parents did for us.

Jesus loves the LGBT

He does. He died for them. I have a suspicion that if Jesus were incarnated in our time and visited the Philippines, He wouldn't be hanging out with the CBCP. I think He'll be hanging out with the people who need Him, those who are marginalized, those whose rights are stepped upon.

That means not only the LGBT, but abused women and children, the sick, the drug addicts. I think this is the people whom Jesus would spend a lot of time with. And He wouldn't be riding an SUV to do His ministry.

As the Body of Christ on earth, am I doing what He would do for this people? Time for a reality check.

Palestine and the Prince of Peace

It amazes me that the land where the Prince of Peace was born is war-torn. The struggle in the Promised Land, I feel, will continue until Jesus returns to reign. But still, God says pray for peace in Israel.

I know that the Hebrews are His chosen people, but as a Gentile, I know that He dies for the Palestinians, too. He died for the people in Iran. He died for every living soul in the Middle East.

One of the most important scenes in Care Divas for me is the beginning of Act 2. Playwright Liza Magtoto has clashed so much conflict in that scene, it always takes my breath away.

Care Divas does deliver the laughs. But it goes well beyond that. It got me thinking. About my parents and how I haven't really thanked them enough for the life they gave me. About the Filipinos scattered all over the world. About my Tita in New York who is a caregiver... and Care Divas gave me a picture of how linked her life is now with her patient, the way Chelsea is with Daddy Isaac, two very different people from very different cultures but feeling most at home with each other.

Please do yourself a favor. Watch Care Divas before they go on tour. If you need help getting tickets, text or message me.

The good and beautiful God, week 1

Interesting. I assigned myself to write the Chronicle article coming up next Sunday. Since we've no rehearsals, I thought I'd have time to read the transcript and write at home. Before going home, though, I made a pit stop at Mary Hill Theological School to visit my friend Argel who invited me to journey through James Bryan Smith's "The Good and Beautiful God." He gave me the first chapter to read and we'll meet again Saturday for a short discussion.

I'm hating work as a marketer for PETA. I would have love it, except for one person I shall nickname Mud Frakka. Mud Frakka is not helpful, bossy, is filled with issues, and more sour than muriatic acid. Mud Frakka has absolutely zero leadership skills. Now I mean not to pass judgment upon Mud Frakka. I wasn't there when Mud Frakka was growing up. I don't know if Mud Frakka has had a difficult childhood. But working with Mud Frakka is difficult. Mud Frakka is unreasonable and snotty. She's a persona nega vibés. Yes! I coined a phrase.

Each time I see her I bring out my pencil, point it at her, think happy thoughts, allow these happy thoughts to fill me, and then declaim: Expecto Patronum!

So of course I'm wondering what God wanted me to learn from Mud Frakka. I'm sure it's there somewhere. The truth is, whenever the thought of "What does God want me to learn in this?" comes up, I immediately brush it off. Arrogance, yes. Stubbornness, right on.

Veck and I were worried about finances. That's what we talked about when I arrived home. Veck asked, "What is the Lord teaching us?" So we prayed from our hearts. We cried out to God. God answered, "I have already answered your prayers."

The next few minutes were the sweetest moments of my life. Dana would point to her Mommy's cheek, so I'd have to "guzzle" Veck's cheek. Then Dana would point to her cheek and I've to guzzle her, too. She'd take turns pointing to Veck and to herself, and we were all laughing all the time. Veck, having forgotten all her worries, fell asleep.

I turn on my computer to see if I already received the transcript of last Sunday's message in my inbox. It's not there. So much for wanting to be spiritual and stay up all night to write and meet tomorrow's deadline. I meditated for 20 minutes (okay, just 17) and then I tried to recall the hip hop choreography we were taught last night. Then I did push ups. Still no transcript.

I did see this in my inbox, though: Metaphors, by John Eldrege.

The Bible uses a number of metaphors to describe our relationship to God at various stages. If you'll notice, they ascend in a stunning way:

Potter and clay. At this level we are merely aware that our lives are shaped-even broken-by a powerful hand. There isn't much communication, just the sovereignty of God at work.

Shepherd and sheep. At this stage we feel provided for, watched over, cared about. But beyond that, a sheep has little by way of true intimacy with the Shepherd. They are altogether different creatures.

Master and servant. Many, many believers are stuck in this stage, where they are committed to obey, but the relationship is mostly about receiving orders and instructions and carrying them out.

Father and child. This is certainly more intimate than being a servant; children get the run of the house, they get to climb on Daddy's lap. These fortunate souls understand God's fatherly love and care for them. They feel "at home" with God.

Friends. This stage actually opens up a deeper level of intimacy as we walk together with God, companions in a shared mission. We know what's on his heart; he knows what's on ours. There is a maturity and intimacy to the relationship.

Bridegroom and bride (lovers). Here, the words of the Song of Songs could also describe our spiritual intimacy, our union and oneness with God. Madame Guyon wrote, "I love God far more than the most affectionate lover among men loves his earthly attachment."

Where would you put your relationship with God? Why did you choose that "level"? Has it always been that way?

(The Journey of Desire Journal & Guidebook , 150)

A quick heart check tells me I was once at Bridegroom and Bride, and have slid down to Master and Servant. I keep thinking, is this part of growing up? An adolescent Christian growing a little distant from his Parent? Nothing could be further from the truth, I realize. God wants me to grow closer and closer to Him, not apart.

I thought I'd check out Argel's handout. And boom! It talks about befriending Christ. It reads a bit like TAW. Essays, then an exercise, then a check-in. The first exercise is to get as much sleep as I need. I've an 8AM meeting tomorrow I don't want to go to. I've to wake up 5AM to do morning pages. Sleep! James Bryan Smith says.

Now I know why there's no transcript in my inbox to work on. God wants me to sleep. To surrender.

Good night!

Ano ang latezt chizmiz sa mga CARE DIVAS?

Tara, makisagap tayo ng chismis! Makinig tayo sa chikahan ng mga Care Divas!

KAILA: Hala, mga Ateh, totoo baang Chismis? May bago na raw tayong member?

CHELSEA: Oo. May bago nang Chelsea!

JONEE: Talaga lang, ha? Magaling ba siya? Siguraduhin lang niya!

KAILA: Heto talagang si Jonee, Nega-star!

SHAI: Bilang leader ng Care Divas, kino-confeerm ko, may bago ngang member! Buti ka pa, Chelsea, may alternate na.

CHELSEA: Ang importante, suportahan natin sya at bigyan ng pagmamahal bilang bagong Chelsea!

THALIA: Eh Ateh, havavowt telling me kung sino sya?

CHELSEA: Basta, makikilala natin sya sa July 24, 8:00 PM sa PETA Theater Center! Yun na rin ang last show natin bago tayo mag-tour.

THALIA: Exciting! Gusto ko na sya makilala. Para itong Bland Det!

JONEE: Blind date, ga-guh!

THALIA: Ay, bulag sya?

SHAI: O, basta! Sukatan na ito ng pag-ibig ng ating mga Ker Sistahs at Ker Dibs! Kitakits uli sa July 24 sa PETA Theater Center!

CHELSEA: Dahil sino man ang magsuot ng high heels at kapa ni Chelsea, alam kong aalagaan din niyang mabuti si Daddy Isaac. Kaya... the show must go on! Todah Rabah!

LAHAT ng CARE DIVAS: Todah Rabah!!!!

In the Philippine Educational Theater Association’s (PETA) phenominal musical comedy-drama hit "Care Divas", five transvestite overseas Filipino workers travel to Israel during the intifada (the Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation), bringing with them the unique brand of warm Pinoy nurturing for elderly Jews.

Every day they wash, feed and entertain their employers as loving caregivers. Come nighttime, they transform into glamorous drag queens in a huge Tel Aviv club.

At the core of the story is Chelsea (Melvin Lee), who seems to have it all—blessed with a kind employer who teaches him Hebrew and a potential lover who accepts him. Shai (Vincent de Jesus) the group’s leader, is haunted by the image of his mother who rejected him for his sexuality. The two are joined by Kayla (Jerald Napoles), Thalia (Dudz Teraña, Jason Barcial) and Jonee (Phil Noble, Buddy Caramat), who also add their liveliness and creativity through performing.

The five strive to adapt to Israeli culture. Their Filipino tongues struggle to learn Hebrew while silently battling the orthodox view on gays. They are always alert, constantly fearing deportation and war.

The creative team behind “Care Divas” includes acclaimed writer Liza Magtoto; multi-awarded composer Vincent de Jesus; prolific director Maribel Legarda; costume designer John Abul; events and theater lighting designer Jon Jon Villareal; visual artist and award-winning set designer Leo Abaya; and dancer and choreographer Carlon Matobato.

Don't miss the Divas before they go on tour! Watch the last performance of CARE DIVAS on July 24, 8:00 PM, at the PETA Theatre Center, No. 5 Eymard Drive, New Manila, Quezon City. A special treat: we reveal the new "Goody Goody Ate Vi Chelsea of Tel Aviv!" Tickets are P600. VIP seats at P800. Reserve your tickets now. Call or text RICO at 09157767778 or email rico.thespian@gmail.com

Todah Rabah!

Walking with the Invisible God

In Ancient Greece, thousands flock nightly to the theatre to see a tragedy play. Tragedy plays have a formula: our hero suffers dangers immensely disproportionate to his human faults. Unaffected gods are lowered from a platform chained to the roof called the deus ex machina. They either assist or inflict further suffering on him. These plays were designed to evoke pathos—pity and fear—among the audience, encouraging them to experience these emotions in the safety of the auditorium, thereby “purging” them of these negative feelings in what is supposed to be a “cathartic” moment.

Katharo in Greek means pure, innocent. This is the word Jesus used on the Mount when He said: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Now katha happens to be our word for something created. Is it any wonder that it is our Creator God who cleanses and purifies us? Jesus Christ, however, wasn’t lowered from a deus ex machina. He became one of His katha to purge us from sin. Greek plays were repeated in week-long festivals to provide audiences with more opportunities to purge themselves of their pathos. Our Creator Jesus saved us once and for all. Because of what He did, I already am made pure. He did the hard work for me. All I need to do is to stick with God. The Bible says “If we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

I was writing one afternoon when the sky grew grim and grey. Lightning flashed and rolls of thunder exchanged their cosmic banter, like actors delivering their dialogue on cue. Rain fell down faster than Metro Manila’s drainage systems can usher them toward the Pasig River. The weather can be more dramatic than any Greek tragedy.

I got my umbrella and immediately went to fetch my wife. Marivic works as a medical officer in National Children’s Hospital. She didn’t bring an umbrella and I was worried. “What’s up, Doc?” I greeted her at the hospital door. While we were relieved to see each other, the problem was we couldn’t get a ride home. Jeepneys were packed and taxis refused us because of the flood. We had no choice but take an hour-long trek back home.

As we walked, Marivic and I talked. I told her about my anxiety to get a part in an audition I recently went to. She told me about her toxic day at work, her joy at teaching the Nepalese doctors to speak and understand Tagalog. We marvelled at the display of an antique furniture shop we passed. We laughed at the grammar of an ad posted by a politician bragging about his service to his barangay. We discovered shortcuts. I enjoy taking these walks with my wife. I can be myself. Ours is an easy relationship. I don’t have to “audition” to be her husband. I already am. And in the process of walking with my wife, I began to know her more, understand how she thinks about the world, and empathize with how she feels. I began to see her.

Jesus said as I walk with Him, He cleanses me from all sin. He purifies me. I need to just take it all in by faith. Why the Most Holy God considers this sinner’s mustard seed faith as more precious than gold is beyond me.

I don’t have to purify myself just so I can hang out and walk with Jesus. He says He does it for me. When He died on the cross, God declared me not guilty of all my sins. When He rose from the dead, I was given a new life. And it’s also true: as I stick close to Him, I get to see Him, too. I begin to understand how He thinks. I’d tell Him about my worries and He’d smile and point, “Look at that maya birds. I made them.” Then it sinks in. I realize sparrows never worry about their food. Our Father in heaven feeds them.

Reading Deprivation

It started with a practice called reading deprivation. If you're like me, you always carry a mag or a book with you to read on train rides, or while waiting for a friend, or even at home. You're also always reading blogs and blogs and emails and chain emails. Reading deprivation is when you do no reading at all for a whole week. None. Zilch.

You realize reading is like the booze. You're addicted to it. You've become an alcoholic. You compulsively read to screen your mind unawares. On the train, you train your eyes on the page of a book and miss the scenery outside. Sitting on the toilet, you've a soiled pocketbook you read with each successive visit. You read emails even if all they are are mindless chain-mail forwards. (Worse if you forward them, too. Oh please don't forward chain mails. Just make a wish, repost this blog to all your newsgroups within the next twenty minutes or else you'll have bad luck for the next twenty years. But if you do, your wish will come true).

--Honest! It really works!--

Back to the issue: so there. Just as an alcoholic won't admit he's addicted to liquor, a compulsive reader won't admit he's addicted to somebody else's words. That's sad because sometimes we lose contact with the voice inside our heads, our individuality, the me in me.

It's not easy! If I'm on reading deprivation, I compulsively grab at anything I can read. Billboards, menus, newspaper headlines, shampoo labels.

Now, what's interesting with the practice is that when you deprive yourself of this one addiction, other addictions or dependencies you weren't aware of pop up.

Oh, poor me. I can't read for a week. Got nothing to do. Hm... what's in the ref? Is that chocolate cake still there? How about some yema? And ice cream!

Whoops! I'm addicted to sugar, too!

So, avoid the bookshelf, avoid sweets. Eat veggies and fruit! OK, let's see if we can get a good salad recipe on Food Network...
.
...and before I know it, I'm staring at the TV for hours watching reality shows.

There you go! TV addict, too. Hm... Now what? Get on the phone and chat with a friend for hours. Hm... not very productive, and quite intrusive of my friend's time, too.

How about the Playstation! Yeah, I'll play a game! Yeah!

Devil Rico: Why not get on the net and watch some porn. You deserve it. What with no reading and sugar and TV and all.

Uh oh.

And so you get deeper and deeper and realize things about yourself. That's what reading deprivation is for me, I think. Now, realizing things about me isn't enough. Now that I know I've dependencies, now what?

Now, that you've got the ball in your hands, get your head in the game!

You see, we're biochemical beings. We all are subject to hormones. I got this from artist Julia Cameron. She wrote: "We are a system of intricate hormonal, adrenal, and pulmonary interactions. All of us have experienced a 'flood of rage,' a 'dry-mouthed fear,' a 'wash of terror,' or a 'heart-pounding' panic. These are chemical reactions."

That explains why I'm addicted to sugar. Chocolate releases endorphins and I'm addicted to it. Maybe that's why I vegetate in front of the TV or oversleep; to avoid a certain fear or to medicate a wound not quite healed yet in me, afraid to face it to the light and the sting of medicine.

These are my addictions. If you don't recognize yourself in the dependencies mentioned above, are you addicted to: shopping? unlimitxt? video games?

So what do I do? I suddenly have so much free time. I can:
*finish the novel / play I'm writing, even just a few pages
*vacuum my room
*repaint the walls in my room; I've always been wanting to.
*write the article on reading deprivation and post it on my blog
*fix the bookshelf
*exercise more
*go dancing with friends
*pray

I learn, instead of reading a play, why not go see one? Why not write one? Instead of watching HBO, why not do acting exercises? As taught universally in all AA groups: the first step to recovery is admitting you need help. The second is becoming humble enough to receive help. Which is why we pray. We admit where we are weak and beg God for help.

Psalm 139. v23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
v24 Point out anything in me that offends you,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

How to discipline your child

"He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently" says Proverbs 13:24. But how do you discipline your child in love? Here are some guidelines.

Most parents stay away from disciplining their children. As a result, children grow up spoiled and having an "entitlement mentality"--they feel they are entitled to have whatever they want. This is not how the world works, and if you love your children, you ought to teach them that they cannot have everything they want just because they cry, throw a tantrum, or scream for it.

Parents mistakenly think they can be lax with disciplining their children when their young. Then, as their kids grow up rebellious, they suddenly become strict. It should be the reverse. They should be strict while their children are young, and as they grow, they loosen their grip and allow their children to make informed decisions for themselves, letting them learn that their decisions have consequences.

Parents have the responsibility to teach their children everything they need to know in life: from washing their hands before they eat and brushing their teeth after, to how to treat themselves, their family members and other people with respect. As a parent, it is important to establish a love relationship between you and your child. Let love be the basis and the reason you discipline him.

Remember that discipline is different from punishment. We are not to "punish" our children. Punishment and discipline are both painful, but the former focuses on revenge, the latter on redemption.

Here are a few guidelines on how to discipline your children:

1. Never in anger. To spank your children while your angry is an abuse of your parental authority. Instead, calm yourself. Remember that disciplining is out of love, not out of fury.

2. Never in public. If you spank your child in public, you crush his or her spirit. Never publicly shame a child. We want to break self-will, and not destroy their spirit.

3. Never use your hands. Your hands are made for loving and hugging, not hurting your child. The Bible says to use a rod. A flat, wide stick or leather belt is good for delivering maximum pain but not welt the skin. And one swat would do. Never more than that.

4. Establish few rules. Some families have so many rules. This is not a good idea and produces a stiff atmosphere at home. Instead, make only a few rules that, when crossed, warrants spanking. Teach your kids that if they disobey or disrespect mom and dad, they get spanking. You look into the issue of the heart. This means if a child breaks an expensive vase or spills coffee on the carpet, the child does not automatically get spanked. These are accidents and young children are characteristically careless or clumsy as they grow up. But if anyone deliberately disobeys a command or talks back, then the child gets spanking.

5. Be consistent. Both parents must agree and stick to these guidelines. The father can't say, "It's okay," and then the mother would say, "No, no, no!" This would confuse their children. Children themselves should be aware when they deserve spanking or not. As a child learns to respect the rules in the household, the frequency of spanking becomes less and less. This also means that disciplining is not dependent on mood. If you're suddenly on a sour mood you don't go on a spanking spree. Even if you're in a happy mood and the child disobeys, there should be spanking. The basis of discipline is love, not emotions.

6. Be affirming. Right after spanking, hug your child. Let them know you love them.

7. Adjust your style. As your child grows up, you must also change your style. Spanking may no longer work for older children in their teenage years, but allow them to suffer the consequence of their mistakes. Do not overprotect your child. This way they learn and their character grows.

Parenting is not an easy and often a thankless job. Some parents are opposed to spanking their children and only gain many heartaches later as their son or daughter becomes unruly and rebellious. But love is the key to establishing a good relationship with your child. Raising disciplined children who are ready to face the real world with strong integrity is in itself the greatest reward a parent can have in this world.

The church and the theater

I realize the quest for truth is not just a noble-sounding reason we actors do theater. It is the reason people (our audience) watch our shows. Sure, they want to be entertained, but a deeper, sometimes unconscious, need or thirst for the truth must be quenched somehow for a performance to be good theater worthy of our time and investment.

Recently I went to a solo mime performance by Iimuro Naoki. We were greatly entertained watching him struggle with a heavy suitcase with nothing in it but a red balloon; we laughed as he deftly switched from a cowboy to a fly; we held our breath with him as he swam the depths of the ocean. All these acts were highly entertaining. But it was when he did a piece about the brevity and the cycle of life (and humans' seeming irreverence for it) that the show became truly meaningful and memorable.

Truth is not "realism." Realism is a style. Truth is universal. Truth can be found in whatever style, not just in Realist Theater, but also in Impressionist, Cubist, Expressionist, Absurdist, or Naturalist plays.

It happens when even just one audience members recognizes that what is presented, albeit artistically on stage, carries an "A ha!" moment that makes him go, "Yes... that's how it is." Theater that seeks merely to entertain does only part of its responsibility. It is the collective responsibility of the playwright, the director, and the actor to seek the truth and present it onstage.

I recently read of a story where a father whose daughter was raped and murdered found truth in an actress's performance in Trojan Women. The actress produced an "awful, embarrassing sound." He said that was the same sound he made when he found out what happened to his daughter.

Truth. We search for it diligently, and in humble integrity, present in on the stage. That is why I make no distinction between the Church and the Theater. Truth is found in both.

Chocolate love

Here’s a sweet surprise: chocolate is actually good for you! Go ahead. Take a bite.

He opens the door for you and you think that every gentleman simply should. He sends you flowers and you think he’s thoughtful. He sends you a box of chocolates and you decide he must be rich. But sink your teeth into one of these confectioners and boom! You’re in love.

“They’ve got chemistry!”
…So we say of people who are “perfect” for each other. Scientists agree. Several studies prove that “true” love is not an affair of the heart but rather the result of a chemical imbalance in the brain. Few people realize that as humans, we are chemical beings. “[We are] a system of intricate, hormonal, adrenal and pulmonary interactions,” says Julia Cameron, a renowned recovery teacher. “All of us have experienced a ‘flood of rage,’ a ‘dry-mouthed fear,’ a ‘wash of terror,’ or a ‘heart-pounding panic.’ These are chemical reactions.”

Hence, what one experiences as infatuation is actually the result of an influx of phenylethylamine and anandamide, which are naturally produced by our bodies. Phenylethylamine induces feelings of slight euphoria while suppressing appetite.

This chemical naturally spikes during orgasm and ovulation. Watching romantic scenes in movies or engaging in sexual fantasies also induces the release of this chemical. Anandamide is a compound that binds to the same receptors in the brain as marijuana, hence inducing slight feelings of elation. These chemicals, both of which chocolate has an abundance of, also raise levels of the “feel good” hormone serotonin in the brain.

Chocolate’s sweet history
It has been reported that chocolate has been arousing strong feelings of romance for 1,500 years. Montezuma, the last ruler of the Aztec Empire in Mexico, was reported to drink fifty goblets of chocolatl (chocolate water) a day to help him handle the demands of his 600-strong harem.

The tropical Central American forests with its abundant rainfall and year-round high temperatures provided the ideal climate for Cacao trees, from which chocolate is made. The Mayan civilization worshiped these trees as divine, hence calling chocolate as “food of gods.” The cacao produced seeds in pods—called cocoa bean—which are then harvested, roasted and pounded. When brewed and mixed with local spices, this bitter drink became the revered xocolatl, a beverage reserved only for the nobility and for religious celebrations.

The Aztecs further up north traded for these highly valued cocoa beans and used them as currency. They treasured these beans so much that when the Spanish conquistadore Hernan Cortes defeated Montezuma in the 15th century, he found the Aztec treasury devoid of the reported silver and gold but filled with cocoa beans.

Cortes, and Christopher Columbus who visited the Mayan civilization, brought cocoa beans to Spain. The Spanish mixed sugar to sweeten the brew, instead of the spices that the Mayans and Aztec used this resulted in the the first chocolate drink in 16th century Europe. Over the years, they developed a process of making the chocolate into solid, bite-sized chunks which we now enjoy today.

Chocolate and its sweet benefits
Since its early beginnings in Europe, chocolate has been widely thought of as a powerful medicine and aphrodisiac. Is chocolate really beneficial to health? The answer is, yes.

However, we should say no to binging on this treat. Taken in extreme quantities, chocolate can trigger migraine attacks. It may also contribute to lower bone density. A quick glance at the label reveals milk chocolate is also high in calories, saturated fat, sodium and sugar.

Taken in moderation however, chocolate does have benefits. Men who eat chocolate regularly live on average one year longer than those who don’t. The flavanoids in chocolate help keep blood vessels elastic. The aroma of chocolate may increase theta brain waves, resulting in relaxation. Chocolate also increases antioxidant levels in the blood.

Feel less guilty when you treat yourself to some chocolate. Make it your personal “prize” after a week of sticking to your aerobic or yoga workout. You’ll feel happier you did!

How to best use your time for exercise

You’ll find that squeezing in time for exercise is not as impossible as you thought—all it takes is strategy.

Is your valuable time spent thoughtlessly? Do you allow others to spend it for you? Have you ever replied “I have no time,” when asked why you don’t exercise? When at the gym, do you socialize more and work out less? Do you actually have time to think about your mismanaged time and fix it?

More people join gyms in January than in any other month. Of the 16% who resolve to work out more in the new year, however, 49% fail to adhere to their resolutions for all sorts of reasons. Here are the only legitimate ones: You're sore, you're sick, you're exhausted, or you’re hurt. That's it. If you have no time to work out, make time. This article shows you how.

Make yourself a Gantt Chart
In 1920, Henry Laurence Gantt devised a time management tool that has been adapted and extensively used by organizations even today. A Gantt Chart is a graphical representation of the duration of a set of tasks in a particular project versus the progression of time. It starts backward from the due date and measures what has to be completed in order to do each successive part of a project. This allows supervisors to see the duration of the project as well as the sequence of tasks requiring completion before the due date.

Want to lose ten pounds in five weeks? That’s two pounds per week. You’re given 24 hours each day—that’s 168 hours per week. Now how will you manage that towards your fitness goal?

Create a Time Grid
Divide a sheet of paper into seven columns. Your time grid shows your whole week from Sunday to Saturday. Fill in the grid with whatever your activities are. On the left side, write down the hours of the day.

For example, 9 to 5 is probably scheduled with work. Maybe you take a Pilates class Thursday and Saturday from 7 to 8. Just as you schedule time for work, schedule time for play and exercise. You’ll be surprised that no matter how much you work or play, you can find that one hour in a day where you are free to set aside for exercise.

A slice of your time grid may look like this:

	Sunday	Monday	Tuesday
7 to 9	Sleep ZZZ	Breakfast Jog at the park	Breakfast Bike to work
9 to 11	Go to church	Work	Work
11 to 1	Swim at the Y	Work	Work

Your time grid removes confusion for the best use of your time. When faced with “What should I do now?” your time grid shows it in black and white. It keeps you focused on what you should be doing. That means no to another hour of TV-watching when you’re supposed to watching your weight and working out.

Your time grid protects you from unwanted intrusions.
“Jeff and I broke up again. Can we talk?”
“Sorry, dear. Not right now. I’m on my way out to the gym.”

“Are you free this Saturday afternoon to help me move my furniture?”
“Sure, but only until 3. I’m scheduled for a session with my fitness trainer and I hate to waste the money I paid for my gym membership!”

Your time grid prevents burnout. Schedule your down time, too. Two hours a day that is just yours no matter what your deadlines are, no matter what you need to do. This also gives you time to accommodate emergencies life may throw at you.

Before you decide the grid won’t work for you, work with it. There is an old saying: “If you want something done, give it to the busiest person you know.” Use the Time Grid to get busy.

Fill up your grid with these tips
Start each day with a quick exercise. Greet the sunrise with a sun salutation. Or do push-ups, crunches, or squats. Do this for five minutes before stepping into the shower.

Invigorate your break. Instead of puffing on a smoke, take a slow, leisurely walk around the block. Come back to your desk with renewed energy and a fresh mind.

Make your living room your gym. So Heroes is on? Each time you see those fit actors on TV shows or ads sporting the body you want, get off the couch and do a set of push-ups or crunches. Smile and feel like a star.

Use technology. Play soccer, do some aerobic hula hoops, or a yoga stretch with your Nintendo Wii.

End the day right. Meditate. Lie down and take a few deep and easy breaths. Do nothing. At the end of a busy day, you deserve it!

Making the perfect protein shake

Are protein shakes good or bad for you? The answer is, yes.

Q: Protein shakes are either whey, casein or soy, depending on protein source. Is that right? Or are protein shakes generally defined as those where you put in a scoop of whey powder in milk and blend?

A: Generally defined, protein shakes are shakes or smoothies high in protein. You don’t have to buy whey powder or casein powder to whip up a mean protein shake – you can use natural protein sources.

Q: If I dunk a banana, an orange, a mango and an avocado into a blender and put in soy milk, can that be considered a protein shake?

A: That’s a rather high-calorie protein shake, but yes! Adding milk or soy milk into any ordinary shake or drink will make it a protein shake. Vegetables are good sources of protein, too. What is important is you get the eight essential amino acids.

Q: Are they called essential amino acids because they’re more important than other amino acids?

A: Not necessarily. That’s a common misconception. These essential amino acids are so called because the body on its own can’t synthesize them. You have to get them from outside sources and included in your diet, so long as you make sure to have a reasonably varied diet. If you consume a wide variety of plant foods, you can get a full set of essential amino acids and your body can convert these into protein. You can chat with your online dietitian to get the best meal plan that ensures you don't lack any of the essential amino acids.

Q: Tell me about whey, casein and soy.

These are simply different types of protein. There are many others, but these are most common, or what we would be more familiar with. Whey and casein come from animal sources, particularly cow’s milk.

Of the three, whey protein is most easily absorbed by the body. So if you're looking to get amino acids pumping through your veins right after a workout, go with whey. Casein is more slowly absorbed by the body and takes longer to be digested, so you feel fuller longer. That's a tip for weight watchers, so you don't feel like you need to eat frequently.

And don’t forget albumin! Albumin comes from eggs - the egg white is pure albumin. You can get the egg white of a hard-boiled egg and throw it in your blender to add protein to your shake. Boiled is better than raw so you’re sure it’s free of salmonella.

Q: Thanks! What about soy? I try to veer away from any animal sources for food.

A: If you’re on the Vegetarian Diet, you should not worry about not getting enough proteins, but it is important that you consume a wide variety of colors and greens. Of all vegetable proteins, soy provides the most complete amino acids needed by the body. So a soy milk- and-fruit smoothie is a good protein shake.

Q: Protein shakes are often recommended to men who wish to build up muscle. In fact, you see most people guzzling protein shakes during their workout. So if I want to build some muscle, should I drink a protein shake daily?

A: Primarily, protein is used to repair and rebuild muscle that is broken down during exercise. Hence protein is important for anyone who wants to build muscle as well as for athletes. Protein however isn't an ideal source of fuel for exercise. High-intensity muscle contractions as in weight-lifting are fueled by carbohydrates. It is best to take your protein shake after your workout, not during or prior.

Q: But are protein shakes useful for those who wish to lose weight?

A: You must remember that proteins contain calories. Consuming too much of anything, including protein shakes, will make losing weight more difficult. But if you get a serving of protein shake during meals, you'll feel fuller quicker, and that can help control your caloric intake. The best formula for those who need to lose weight is still a conscientiously applied diet and exercise program.

Q: I’ve heard of people who have replaced meals with a whey protein shake. They say it has helped them lose weight.

A: Not good. You may have protein shakes included in your meals, but do not make it a replacement for real food. Consuming too much protein means extra workload for your liver and kidneys. The liver is tasked to metabolize proteins and your kidney, detoxifies and excretes excess protein. If you consume only whey protein shakes, you will damage your kidneys and liver. Remember, too much of anything is not that beneficial.

Here’s the daily recommended protein intake. The average adult needs 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight. Strength training athletes need about 1.4 to 1.8 grams, while endurance athletes need about 1.2 to 1.4 grams per kilogram of body weight. Your online dietitian can devise a diet plan that meets your protein and caloric needs.

Each cell in your body has a limit to the amount of protein it can take. Excess protein can be turned into fat and stored in the body, undermining your efforts at weight loss.

Q: What is better? A protein shake made with whey powder or one made with fruits blended with skim milk. Which is the better shake?

A: That depends on your goals. If you’re building muscle, shake A should be your choice. If your workout is composed mainly of cardio exercises, shake B is better for you. Your online dietitian can help you decide which is the better shake for you, depending on your needs.

Here are some protein shakes that are as yummy as they’re healthy:

Berry Good Shake
Mix 2 scoops of Raspberry Yogurt Protein Delite or other protein with:
• 4 strawberries
• 15 blueberries
• 16 ounces of nonfat milk
• 1.5 cups of ice cubes.
Mix together in a blender until ice is completely crushed and blended well. This is so good that you should serve it with a little umbrella in it!

Safflower Protein Shake
• 1 cup skim milk
• 2 tsp. safflower oil
• Several pieces of ice
• 1 banana
• 1 package of Carnation Instant Breakfast (there’s also a low-carb mix; pick (any flavor – strawberry, chocolate, cappacino, French vanilla, chocolate malt)
Mix together in a blender until ice is completely crushed and blended well.

Egg-cellent Shake
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk or 3-4 scoops vanilla ice cream
Place all ingredients in a blender. Blend and enjoy.

Picture success!

Seeing is not just believing — it’s a fundamental tool for achieving all your fitness goals.

Athletes do it. At least, the great ones do. So do actors, architects, inventors, race motorists, archers, chess players and dancers. Believe it or not, so should you. It’s called mental imagery.

Picture this. You’re at the court. You see the ring approach as you dribble the ball toward it. The other team’s power forward is charging in your direction. With quick footwork, you avoid his attempt to steal the ball. The crowd grows wild. You jump into the air and release the ball. It shoots straight into the basket. Score!

That is mental imagery; and psychologists believe that it has a profound impact on your performance. Many of them have debated on how it works, but they all agree: see yourself achieving your personal goals, and you end up succeeding. To see is to achieve.

It’s no secret that Formula One champion Damon Hill practiced mental imagery in his race from “zero to hero.” Before each race, he would sit still and mentally rehearse steering the wheel through the race line and around each corner in sharp precision.

Open your mind. Tiger Woods would first see in his mind’s eye the golf ball soaring in the air and landing in the hole. Firmly holding that image of precision, he grips the golf club and executes that famous swing. Only then would we see what he first saw in his mental imaging. “I’m very open-minded toward any innovation that can potentially make me a better player,” he says. “What really excites me is the prospect of even greater breakthroughs in all of these areas.”

Active mental imagery is not just visualizing. All your senses imagine, too. While visual images are the most common and literal, you can also create aural, olfactory, kinesthetic and tactile images.

To demonstrate, try this experiment right now. Imagine yourself running. See it. Feel your feet hitting the ground. Smell the air hitting your face. You can either hear cars honking or birds twittering. You pause to breathe and take a swig of your sports drink. That tasted good. You experienced all this even now just reading this.

Use it. We were all born with the capacity to use imagery. The difference lies in how often—and how well—we use it. What you image can either empower or debilitate you.

For instance, try visualizing standing on the edge of a diving board and looking down. Not even the huge “3.0 Meters” sign can convince you that the water isn’t miles below your feet. You imagine how cold the water will be. You feel the pain as your chest hits the water. Your knees begin to shake and finally, you turn tail and climb down the ladder.

Now try it again. Use the same diving board scenario, but blot out thoughts from “looking down…” onwards. This time, use imagery to feel yourself soaring into the air, raising your arms up in one fluid line, and diving smoothly into the pool. Feel the water embrace you. Hear the cheers greet you when you break the surface.

You smile. You feel your confidence rise. And so do you, the moment your feet leave the board and you execute a perfect dive - from your visualization alone all the way to the real thing, when you actually perform well.

Realizing that the image you create in your mind affects your performance is just as important as deciding what exactly that image will be.

Sharpen it. Consciously decide to focus on your fitness goal. Stand in front of the mirror. Do you want to add inches to your arms or chest? Is it a slimmer waistline you are aiming for?

Now take few, slow, rhythmic breaths. Many proponents of imaging agree that while you can practice this technique anywhere, the best place to start is from a state of relaxation. We all have our own unique ways to relax – think of yours. Do you need to lie down so your mind can settle? Do you require absolute silence or need some soft, non-intrusive music? Will a cup of chamomile tea do the trick for you? How about a jog through the park? Whatever it is, begin by relaxing.

Now see yourself doing what you need to do to achieve your goal—and doing it well. Picture yourself completing 50 crunches, or working your whole body on the rowing machine. Instead of watching yourself do it as if in a movie, try visualizing in the first person point of view. See the bar rise as you perfectly execute your bench presses. Feel the strength in your arms and chest, and the tightening of your abs. Hear your personal coach’s voice counting your reps for you. Make the image as vivid as you can.

Cap your imaging session with encouragement. Surround your image with positive energy. Exactly how would you feel after achieving your goal? Allow yourself a few moments as you stay with that feeling.

Now go to the gym and do exactly as the image you saw dictated. As Thomas Edison said, “Success is 10 percent inspiration and 90 percent perspiration.”

Be a gym genius

Science proves it! As a human being, you are intelligent in more ways than one! It’s time to find out how to use that genius in the gym.

You may not be a rocket scientist but you’re a devil with the guitar. And unlike your neighbors’, your yard isn’t exactly the Garden of Eden, but how they love your afternoon tea parties. Your sister was captain of the cheerleading team in high school; you were editor-in-chief of school paper. This is not surprising. Each of us uses our mind in a distinct and personal way. Each of us is uniquely intelligent.

Says Ronald Gross in the book Peak Learning, “If our faces differed as much as the way our minds work, some of us would have eyes like magnifying glasses, others would have noses like an elephant’s trunk, and still others might have ears like radar dishes!”

In 1983, psychologist Howard Gardner released his pioneering work Frames of Mind, The Theory of Multiple Intelligence. He proposed that “there exists a multitude of intelligences, quite independent of each other.” Each type of intelligence has its own strengths and constraints. He challenged the idea that intelligence is a single entity that can be measured via an IQ test.

Multiple Intelligences
Howard Gardner initially formulated his list with seven intelligences, but in 1997, added Naturalistic Intelligence. Most of us have a pretty good idea in which of these categories we would place ourselves.

You like to tell stories and people listen to them. You easily remember nice turns of phrase or memorable quotes and use them deftly in conversation. You note other people’s errors in using words or grammar. You have strong linguistic intelligence.

GYM GENIUS: Since you use language as a means to remember information, go to FitFactory.com’s Exercise Gallery. Read and print out your workout and you won’t feel at lost in the gym. Chat with our Online Trainers any time of the day.

You can sing on key. You enjoy music and have favorite performers. You sometimes enjoy different sounds in your environment. This involves skills in the performance, composition, and appreciation of musical patterns. You are musically intelligent.

GYM GENIUS: So bring your iPod with you. Put on your favorite upbeat tunes. Let out your inner rhythm and chops in a round of Capoeira. Take advantage of FitFactory.com’s Workouts on Audio Download. Whistle while on the treadmill. Break out into full song when you hit 7.0 mph.

You organize things in your kitchen, bathroom, and at your desk according to categories and in patterns. You are fascinated by scientific and philosophical questions like "When did time begin?" You have the capacity to analyze problems and carry out mathematical operations. You have logical-mathematical intelligence.

GYM GENIUS: Work equals Force times Distance. As you add more weight, calculate exactly how much you’re working your muscle. The mathematical formula is: more pounds on the machine = more work for your arms and legs x reps in a set= bigger, stronger you.

You like to draw. You can find your way around a new area or neighborhood very quickly. You can remember in detail the layout and landmarks of places you’ve visited on vacations. You display spatial intelligence.

GYM GENIUS: Try the traveling squat. Move around the gym. How far are the cable machines from the dumbbells to the treadmills? Try an exercise in each area of the gym. Play basketball and shoot three-pointers from various spots on the court.

You are regarded as quite graceful and rarely feel awkward in your movements. You often can figure out how something works or how to fix something that’s broken, without asking for help or consulting a manual. You dance well or are good at sports. It is the ability to use mental abilities to coordinate bodily movements and use your body to solve problems. You possess bodily-kinesthetic intelligence.

GYM GENIUS: Join a hip hop class, or Pilates. Challenge your balance with Tai-chi. Ditch the gym and head to the badminton court or the skating rink. Show off your moves.

You sense quickly when a friend is troubled. You can readily imagine how other people play their roles in their work or families. When you meet new people, you often make connections between their characteristics and those of others. You are capable of understanding intentions, motivations and desires of other people. You have interpersonal intelligence.

GYM GENIUS: Bring your gym buddy with you. Turn your couch-potato roommate into a gym addict. Once a week, play football instead of just watching NFL on TV.

You can imaginatively see yourself in other people’s roles in their work or relationship responsibilities. You feel you have a keen sense of what you can and can’t do. You have the capacity to understand yourself, to appreciate your feelings, fears and motivations. You are intra-personally intelligent.

GYM GENIUS: Yoga is as much about knowing yourself, as much as it is about strengthening abs, arms, and legs. Imagine how it would feel to have big arms and chests, like that friendly and confident fitness coach who inhabits the gym. Pick up some dumbbells as you transform into the new you.

You enjoy being outdoors when you learn. Pollution makes you angry. You can recognize and name different types of birds, trees and plants, and like or keep pets. You are endowed with naturalistic intelligence.

GYM GENIUS: Don’t feel trapped inside the gym. Jog outdoors. Enjoy the sunshine. Soar with the birds. Throw a Frisbee and outrun your golden retriever.

Geeks, rejoice! You don’t have to be just a prodigy at physics. You can use that sharp brain of yours to define your arms and chisel your chest. You can use your lofty IQ to devise an intelligent workout. This also means you have no excuse. Working out is not just the realm of the jocks.

By using your strongest intelligence, you can make your workout more rewarding and fun. Do what comes naturally for you as you encourage some weaker areas. A strong mind in a strong body is the prototype we all aim for.