Ideas are Bullet Proof: Let your Ideas Change the World

Photo Credits to British Council Philippines

"Everything begins with an idea, let your ideas change the world" 

It's an unforgettable quote during my third year high school. It was in front of us, above the chalk board where we could easily be reminded of its value and meaning. Recently I bumped to a posting about the British Council's  "I am a Changemaker:Ideation Camp". I reposted it on my blog because I wanted others to know about this opportunity. I browsed the links and asked myself, "Do I have an idea that can change the world?". The question echoed on my mind like the Last Song Syndrome (LSS). 

Identifying the Problem:

For the past years that I have been joining some organizations, one of the problems that I had experience was the lack of resources whether it maybe financial or knowledge/skill resource. It also came to me that the youth has: 

1.      Limited Information on Opportunities for Youth to participate: a. to develop skills,intelligence and interests , and, b. to build on their chosen advocacy.

2.      Limited Resources  in terms of fund generation, knowledge-sharing and capacity building.

3.      Limitied Networks for Youth to partner, cooperate and collaborate in reaching the same goal.

Addressing the Problem: 

My thoughts lead me to this solution. Why not develop a web –based Youth Organization Networking Site that enables them to gain Information, gather resources and build Networks? 

So then, I tried to learn how to make a business plan. It's kind of funny for me as a Psychology Graduate and took up an Education Certificate Course to be learning something about it. But It has become part of the things that I value in life, "I learn so I can give more to others.". 

My Fears:

I am indeed a very low self-esteemed person. What if I made a mistake? What if this idea is already present? Is it really feasible? Will I be able to make it? Is it really important? And maybe, it's fun to make a mistake after all because eventually I will learn. Maybe it's great that the idea has been done  or present because it was able to help more people for a long time now. 

I thank the people who supported this idea and who believed that it can change the way things as they were. Yesterday, I just arrived home , and today I will be leaving again. I hope that when I return, I have something to share and would grow more on the way I approach things. I only have an idea with me. They say Ideas are bullet proof - let your ideas change the world. 

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Seven Months to a Lifetime - On Being a Humanitarian Worker

It has been more than six months now since I signed that contract last

February 15, 2012. It was my first time to actually put my signature

into something especially that knowing myself, I easily lose focus on

things and often times , I lose my interest along the way. One thing

that I had put in my mind as what was spoken in my heart is that I'ts

an opportunity for me to give back to Iligan after the years of

generosity it has given me when I was in college.I treasure this place

and the people in it and if I would find a very familiar place aside

from Bayugan - it would be Iligan City - a second home.

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My first Job is Teaching

Imagine yourself having graduated from college and the most common though one should answer is: Where will you be after this one time big event in our life?. It was definitely the question that came into the deepest of my mind and no matter how i thoroughly searched the corners - my brain simply responds to the request of saying "It is unidentified. It can't be found on the memory storage".

Upon realizing that there is something missing, that lead me to decide to take another course right after the graduation. My parents wants me to take masters or any course I want, and for me who is unsure of what job to do or what profession should be my choice - taking education subjects is the be resort to keep myself intact. Being a Psychology graduate must have given me a broad of options that approach-approach conflict keeps lingering in my being. The thought of having everything at one single shot is a way of a lazy man and I am a lazy. To cut it short, I chose to rest from school and be on a vacation starting the second semester of 2010.

Melancholy has always been next on my steps and I wonder where can I draw my motivation - simply my mind could't comprehend the reason for my existence. I realized why existentialist was able to come up with their theories. =D Finally, an opportunity that was presented to me to become a substitute teacher in Iligan Medical Center College (IMCC). My daily routine at home was watching cable tv, reading Narnia, posting on Facebook and I sometimes during the day, I will go to our rice fields to guard the birds who were trying to eat the seeds on the plots. Having a break from a boring routine, I rushed to Iligan City and prepared for my application letter and resume.

The Teaching Demonstration:

Applying for a first job must have given me real tension and so I prepared for it. I had my power point presentation and in case there will be a black out, I printed the templates of my slides and photocopied it. My English III Teacher once told us that we need to "Fake it til' we make it" and so, I just have to act confidently. First time can be really difficult especially if you failed to prepare for it but fortunately, I did my homework.

First Day:

Me and the IMCC CAS Faculty (1st Day Feb 3, 2011)

My first day was really exciting yet terrifying. They say first impressions last, and at least now, i believed in that particular idea. Must have been a blessing in heaven when I started my job with a Mass. There is the College Celebration and so they included it as part of the ritual. The teachers i met were extremely friendly and welcoming. I really admire us  Filipino's for our "Pakikipagkapwa". As if a feast was ready and prepared to be set as a welcoming party for me ( was just assuming it was for me but it was actually for the Priest and faculty).

Some tips when Applying for a First Job as a Teacher:

1. Be Confident. Believe in yourself that you can. What your mind can conceive and believe - you can achieve. Fake it til' you make it.

2. Do your homework. Whatever job you are applying, you must prepare for it, just like researching about the company/institution. Prepare for a teaching demonstration wherein you best know the subject matter. Sometimes, they don't ask you to prepare for a lesson plan or any presentation and will just give you the topic and the time to prepare on the same day as you were called for interview.

3. Rest and take a break. Unwind before any job interview to rest your mind and body especially when you need to take psychological exams as part of the evaluation. Also, you mind might not work more efficiently during interview if you don't sleep well.

4. Take courage. First time is always difficult and uneasy since you don't know or know a little about what will be happening. Always remember, unless you try, you'll never know what will happen. 

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