Engaged to other mountain enthusiast, I honestly say that this year (though it’s midyear) able to test my strength, expand my perspective and appreciation to life and to Philippine’s hidden beauty.

I remember asked by a friend, “What’s my reflection, after our recent hike?”

It daunted to me the thought that I just started climbing mountains this year. It all started by having a bucket list that pushes me to climb one mountain that ended up conquering more.

 Each climb has a different story to tell, which in return intrigues me to climb more.  If I kept into my comfort zone, I will never realize I will get hooked to the obstacles and wander of the mountain. Interestingly, will never meet new people and never recognize my nomad potential.

To answer my friend’s question. I share these realizations: 

1.    The Mountain is the place that knows no one. (What do I mean?)
The scoreboard of conquering a mountain is not base in our social status, our backgrounds, and the size of our bank accounts or our career ambitions.

Too often the benchmark of successful life is measured in terms of economic wealth, or educational level.  Today most people strive for professional accomplishment and satisfaction.  However, thriving into mountains challenges literally isn’t about where you came from or who you are.

 It is in the mountain that success is base on one’s motivation, endurance, determination and passion.

2.    If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.
It seems that in climbing mountain, you can create your own trail as long as you get to the top. Yet, doing that may lead to exhaustion, being lost and worst, accidents.
Thus, each trekker as much as possible follows the common trail as a guide to the peak.
 However in life, we get so caught up and focused on one trail: the trail to success. Success in terms of stable career, income, or social status. Being dictated by the world, we tend to create any means to get to the trail and find ways to go faster on that path. In return, the trail to success makes us drained and sometimes loses the most valuable things in life.

 We think our lives were equipped with a personal GPS that shows the best career on ramps and off-ramps – at the push of a button. Unfortunately, even the best GPS doesn’t tell you where the best choice is, it only tells you how to get to the specific place where you’ve set as your destination.

First consider what are the most important- what will give you joy; give you a sense of personal engagement or a sense of satisfaction before taking  a trail to climb or a road to take.

 Don’t waste your energy and time just heads out to accomplish something without first considering why pursuing it and what success would look like.

3.    New pursuit introduces new struggles
In conquering a mountain it’s not only about physical struggle it also encompasses emotion battle. Sometimes the thought that you can’t do it, you’re the weakest link of the group, or the trail is just so difficult for you drives you to quit. 

Once we pursuit new things new struggles come in. Yet what matters is not the number of struggles you face, it’s about your response. Remember, the path to constant growth is not a lifestyle of sweet spot but rather a lifestyle of difficulties that is beyond our current capabilities. The choice is up to you. Do you want to grow or not?

The truth is we succeed not by having any challenges but by defeating our excuses. Don't make excuses for why you can't get it done. Focus on all the reasons why you must make it happen, because as you perseveres each challenge, it develops your character.

This reminds me of the truth in Romans 5:3-5 “Rejoice in your suffering, know that sufferings produce perseverance, perseverance produces character and character we find hope, a hope that does not fail”.

To end this, know the true scoreboard of life which will lead you to the right road that will develop your character.  

Businessmen, particularly those involved with startups, know that plans will change, and not only that, they’ll have to change. They’ll have to change to succeed. They’ll have to adapt to what the market needs and wants if they’re going to keep them. They’re going to have to change to grow, to derive as much value, even just to survive. And they’ll have to keep doing this over and over and over, over time.That’s why the best businessmen, while they do plan as effectively as possible, are resilient, able to withstand the changes to deliver that which doesn’t change: the purpose and the values.

 I understood the whole idea of needing plans that are adaptable in business but, as many times happens to me, I didn’t practice that lesson in my personal life. I hate it when my plans are ruined.

And I get really angry with the people who ruined them. I get really frustrated with God when it seems He ruined them. I may not confess them, and I definitely won’t rant on my blog or twitter or Facebook like a clueless idiot, but the conversations of my heart are revealing:

“God, why believe in Your promises? I’ve been waiting so long for You to come through, and I look around at all these other people succeeding, and I’m trying to do it right yet things aren’t working.”

“What is wrong with these people? Such a simple request and they can’t even do it. I work so hard and I’m responsible but people aren’t responsible towards me.”

“What’s wrong with the government? No opportunities, and their corruption is holding us all back. This country is going to the dogs.”

I can go on. With every complaint I write a new one enters my head before I’m even finished typing the last one. I grumble quite a bit. Not out loud, but in the darkest parts of my heart. I grumble when what’s happening isn’t lining up to the expectations of my heart, when things aren’t going according to my plans.

But now I am reminded: Proverbs 19:21 so many times, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” 

Purpose trumps plans. And I am reminded that ultimately, in the eternal scheme of things, God’s purpose is for us to enjoy Him, and that purpose I can fulfill no matter how well my plans are going. 
In the midst of a delayed deal I can say, “Father, can I wait with you?” 
In the midst of rejection I can request, “Father, remind me that You love me.”
 In the midst of accusation, I can get on my knees and confess, “Father, You’ve taken my sins as far as the east is from the west.” 
In the midst of a fading dream, of a painful circumstance, of a major disappointment, I can reframe my perspective and say, “Father, this really sucks! This really sucks so bad! I planned this so well, I worked so hard at this, but it’s not turning out according to plan! But have Your way.”

And I feel Him reminding me, “I don’t know about you, but what’s important to me is that we spend time together. I’m excited for your future, but I’m just happy to be with you, now, today, in the present, whatever that present is. I’m happy to be in this journey with you. I’m happy to be stuck in a phase with you. I’m happy to be on a detour with you, in a life jam with you, to make what you think is an unplanned pitstop with you. I like the plan but what’s important to me is to be with you.”

It’s funny that once you overcome your fear or achieve uncommon things you do. You crave for more. The fact that you discover in yourself that you have the courage to do it, you want to do it again or even more in upgrade level.

I climbed another mountain, after Pico de Loro. I have conquered Mt. Pulag.

I decided to climb another mountain this time not for fun, but to witness something magical. Not just being the highest peak in Luzon, Mt. Pulag becomes a bucket list to newbie mountaineers or just enthusiastic travelers because of its breathtaking “sea of clouds”. 

This time, I know the climb will not be easy. However, this is an opportunity for me to discover something within myself and chance to take the challenge of Mt. Pulag. 

1.     Commit and Pursue.
Make the decision. Commit and Pursue it.  The truth of the matter is that I’m not a professional mountaineer. This is the first time I will take an overnight trekking; this means I have to pack a lot of things to survive for the next two days. Pulag has a freezer-type temperature, which lowers down more as the night approaches. It also has less amount of oxygen, given the fact that it is 2922 meters above sea level.  The higher the elevation the thinner the oxygen is, thus more pressure. As the date of the trip is coming close, doubts and fears sink in. What if. What if I can’t make it? What if I freeze or collapse from sheer exhaustion? Then eventually, it was my desire that pushed me to continue. The doubts and fears even the exhaustion along the trail gently pushed aside the minute I focus on my dream – to witness the sea of cloud.

I substituted the thoughts of failure with the visions of achieving my goal, same true as we go with life. Battle your thoughts. Don’t allow it to stop you from growing. Commit to your goals. Believe in yourself. Take the challenge or do new experiences. Cliche it might be but you will never really know unless you try. 

2.     Be Prepared.

The most important thing is preparation- physically and mentally.  During our pre-climbing sessions, we thought we’re already prepared. But after that, we were mentally pressured when we realize all the stuffs we packed are not the essentials things. There are particular gears and items needed especially when you’re climbing for overnight trek and given that in Pulag weather is unstable.

Items were strictly checked by our tour guide thus we don’t have excuses not to comply. All of which are for our own benefits. The more prepared you are entails that whatever the challenges along the trail, you can overcome it.  In a way, just like life the more preparation you execute in your task, performance or presentation the better the outcome becomes. 

3.     Urge others.

One beneficial effect of climbing a mountain or doing something is you discover it together with other people especially close to you.

In this climb, I invited a friend. She’s not the usual outgoing person and it was her first climb. Her first climbed and it was Mt. Pulag. You have fears to conquer within yourself. But it’s a different story, when you need to eliminate the fear of others. How much excuses she made and the pressure she felt. I know I have to encourage her. Find ways to make her realize that this is once in a lifetime opportunity. That she can do it and she is strong.

Yet, when reality hits, I know she was so exhausted. I almost felt she wanted to walk away. Whether she deals with tiredness, draught and anxiety I have to stay and push her to continue the trail.  Help her see the big picture, that I will help her and will walk behind her.  Provide her with encouraging word that she can do it. And so she does. I know it was not me. I know deep down she wanted it. I just need to push and urge her.

In life, at some point we are all leaders and influencers. The important question is where are we leading them, why are we doing it and what are we influencing to them?  The power, the ability and resources we have are you going to use it for your own advantage or to make others better than ourselves.   

4.     Engage.

Take part in respecting the rules as you visit Mt. Pulag or any other place you want to explore.  Also, take time to engage to the locals. Learn their stories and even dialects. Be friendly and chit-chat with them, especially the porters who assist in carrying tourists camping goods/ items. Porters were even women and children which are incredibly strong. As an alternate source of income, most locals opted to become porters and travel guides. Even in your short term stay, treat locals and respect their places by thinking what kind of ecological mark you are making after you leave.

Take time as well to connect to your fellow hikers/ climbers. Start conversation with them or simply share a smile and encouragement with them. Open yourself to cultures different from yours.  Enlarge your circle of influence, you might be inspired or get inspired. 

5.     Enjoy.  

Enjoy God’s creation. Enjoy and have fun in the Philippines.  Our country has really wondrous secrets to offer, one of which is breathtaking Mt. Pulag. For first timers, Mt. Pulag is really worth the climb. Yet it’s worth involves the challenges you need to take.  The trail includes the misty forests and the grassland summit with its “sea of clouds” at sunrise and even in sunset.

Witnessing the impressive picturesque landscape of Mt. Pulag “sea of clouds”, only reminds me that I am just part of an amazing world. There is a Creator, who knows what is best and skillfully crafted everything accordingly. Awed by the stunning beauty as the sun rises and its rays vividly and literally transforms clouds into a serene sea and even a waterfall.

Locals believe that when you witness the sea of cloud, at your first visit to Mt. Pulag, you are blessed. I guess it’s not being blessed, it’s just His grace. The weather was just so perfect and strength He give me to endure everything was His grace. God allowed me once again to enjoy His creation and give me a plethora of unique memories, after my first climb in Pico de Loro and that is the best and most rewarding part. 

In John Maxwell book Developing the Leader within you, he stated that “Sociologist tells us that even the most introvert individual influences 10,000 people in his/her lifetime”

This tells us that it doesn’t matter whether you are unspoken or not unspoken. Or you’re the man who is in the platform or not. At some moment in your life you are leading or influencing someone.

Leadership, today, has been suffering for some flunk meanings. Mainly, because leadership today is based on who is being famous. It is entailed to popularity, position, power or resources. It’s pretty much how leadership and influence become.

It’s interesting that at some point, people follow you regardless of who you are. Neither position nor power dictates if your leader or not. Whether you’re in a political position, a doctor, a fisherman, a taxi driver, a teacher, a husband, a wife, a student, you are at some level leading someone.

Leadership, in its simple terms is simply moving people from point A to point B.

“No one is excluded being a leader or a follower.” - John Maxwell

We are all leaders. We are all influencer. We don’t need to rely on the people in the position to make a difference. Understand that it’s not about where is point A or point B, but rather the more important key to understand is where, how and why .

1.      Vision. The ability to lead begins with vision.  You cannot lead if you don’t know where you are going. You need to know where you are going, so can take people from point A to point B.

Where are you leading them? Where are you taking the people you convince to go with you?

Vision is connected to our attitude. Are you taking them to be better individual or just using them for your own good?

As in Philippians 2:5 “Your attitude should be the same as Christ Jesus”.

The attitude of the mind: the way we think. And, the attitude of your heart, the way you respond and handle things when someone asked you for help should be the same with Christ.

2.     Communication. The ability to convince others to go with you.

You cannot be a leader if all it is a vision. At some point, you need a measure of communication whether by action or by words on how people come and follow.

How are you leading them? Did you manipulate them, force them, lie to them or coerce them?

Communication is connected to our humility. We cannot connect to others if there so much pride and fear of rejection into us. Unpopular posture of humility will lead us to learn to understand the reality and open connections to other people. 

3.     Provision. The ability to provide the resources, whether that’s a bridge for a mayor, a food for a father, books for a teacher, an encouragement word from a coach to the team.

Why are you doing it? Why are you trying to get them their? 

Provision is connected to the way we view life. The power, the ability and resources we have are you going to use it for your own advantage or for others?  Unwelcome view of emptying ourselves to reach out for others. 

We are all capable of creating change in our circle of influence. All we just need to take by heart is that we are all leaders.  A leader with an uncommon attitude of making other better than ourselves.

A leader with an unpopular posture of humility.  A leader with unwelcome view of serving others than being served.

"Success is not counted by how high you have climbed but by how many people you brought with you." - Wil Rose

Don’t know where to start.

Don’t have the best word to describe.

Still get #sepanx from Mt. Pulag. There is something charm into it.

Every climber will testify it, and I guess this is mine.

Being the highest peak in Luzon, Mt. Pulag becomes a bucket list to newbie mountaineers or just enthusiastic travelers. For first timers, it’s really worth the climb. Yet it’s worth is related to the challenges you need to take.  The trail includes the misty forests and the grassland summit with its “sea of clouds” at sunrise and even in sunset.

The sky and the ocean are the two things I love about nature. Both of which give me the feeling of freedom and peace. Ever since we know that sky will never meet the ocean, both have their natural perfect position. Yet, there isn’t impossible to the greatest artist –God.

Witnessing the impressive picturesque landscape of Mt. Pulag “sea of clouds”, only reminds me that I am just part of an amazing world. There is a Creator, who knows what is best and skillfully crafted everything accordingly.

The enchanting natural scenery of Mt. Pulag caught me to stop, to pause and just savor the moment. Awed by the stunning beauty as the sun rises and its rays vividly and literally transforms clouds into a serene sea and even a waterfall.

Locals believe that when you witness the sea of cloud, at your first visit to Mt. Pulag, you are blessed. I guess it’s not being blessed, it’s just His grace. The weather was just so perfect and strength He give me to endure everything was His grace. God allowed me once again to enjoy His creation and give me a plethora of unique memories, after my first climb in Pico de Loro and that is the best and most rewarding part.