Whats the best & worst advice you have ever received?
April 14, 2002 | 12:00am
We turn to friends and relatives for advice when were in a bind, when facing crossroads, or before making a major decision.
Some advice may be good for us, some may put us in a worse situation. Most advisers mean well, others have a hidden agenda. The bottomline is that it is always best to pray hard for enlightenment, keep an open mind, listen to what our friends have to say and use their advice as a guide. And hope that our advisers know what they are saying!
Geni Psinakis, owner, Mati: For both best and worst, depending on how one interprets it: Live every day as if it were your last.
Secretary Cito Lorenzo, Presidential Adviser for creating one million jobs: Best advice from my late dad: In the game of life, what matters is not how many times you win or lose; it is how you pick yourself up every time you fall, for we often lose more than we ever win.
Worst advice: Dont get angry, get even. Vengeance and vindictiveness never satisfy the inner spirit.
Ria Romero, freelance writer: Best advice: Follow your heart but also listen to the murmurings of the mind, which knows ones limitations. My parents always say that with God on your side, the possibilities in life are limitless; all one has to do is believe and have faith. Thats simply true.
Worst advice: When my university adviser told me that I shouldnt go for my masters degree because there was so little time and too much work. I looked at her incredulously and said: Its like an athlete who has been preparing for the marathon, her mindset is for that, then you go and ask her to do just the 100-meter dash! No way!
Carina Agarao, president, Crusade Against Violence: The best advice I got in my life came from my friend, Daphne Kuok. She told me about a friend of hers whom she thinks would be a perfect mate for me. I laughed. Just the same, I asked why, she said we were compatible in a lot of ways we both love kids. Ones weakness is the others strength. Hes the serious type while I enjoy making my friends laugh, etc. She eventually introduced me to this guy named Clarence. I just stood there and smiled. I never knew what she meant until I was able to watch this man up close. He courted me and I said yes. Six years later, we got married and I never regretted even for a moment that decision.
The worst advice? I cant recall any because I dont rely on a single person for advice. I always make it a point to consult a lot of people, put their ideas together then decide for myself. If ever there was something I did that was far from ideal, its not because of the advice I got. There must be something wrong with the way I analyzed their inputs. Then, I only have myself to blame.
Mary Prieto, adviser on etiquette and social graces: Best advice: Dont play with fire, you might get burned. Well, actually, I really did get burned when I was a small girl. My mother was still burning the trash in our backyard and I was there just watching. My mother went inside, I had nothing to do, so I kept moving over the bonfire with first one foot then the other foot and finally one foot fell in and I burned my sock plus ankle. I still have the scar to prove it. I literally did burn.
Worst advice I ever received: Dont marry him, hes just a basketball player. And they didnt even pay basketball players in those times and, well, I insisted and I married my basketball player. He went on to coach the Yco team for seven years in succession, and then he became the first PBA commissioner, he also became an Olympic coach for basketball. Hes still a basketball fan. And Im still a fan of his.
Chickie Locsin, telecom consultant, MBA aspirant: Best advice: "A person doesnt look back at his life and regret that he didnt put in more time on his job or career. Rather, in the autumn of ones life, a person will regret that he didnt spend more time with his family and loved ones, and that he didnt do the things that he enjoys doing most."
I have heard and read this recurring theme from many good friends, who have either articulated it or sent e-mail messages on the subject. I have realized the wisdom of this advice since it changed my lifestyle. I am busy with school and in consultancy, but I now have more time for myself and my family, and can travel, dance and loaf around when friends call. This is balance!
Worst advice: Whenever I dont follow my instinct about people and situations, I often get burned or disappointed. Then I want to hit myself on the head for heeding someones advice instead of relying on my gut feel. I have been wrong many times, too, but the worst cases of falling flat on my face have been instances when I didnt listen to that little voice inside me that cautioned me about peoples insincerity and hidden agenda.
Margot Osmeña, wife of Cebu Mayor Tommy Osmeña: Best advice: The line to God is never busy, talk to him!
Worst advice: Cant remember, hopefully, thats because I didnt follow it!
Anton Rodriguez Mendoza: To believe in God is the best but to fear Him is the worst.
Some advice may be good for us, some may put us in a worse situation. Most advisers mean well, others have a hidden agenda. The bottomline is that it is always best to pray hard for enlightenment, keep an open mind, listen to what our friends have to say and use their advice as a guide. And hope that our advisers know what they are saying!
Geni Psinakis, owner, Mati: For both best and worst, depending on how one interprets it: Live every day as if it were your last.
Secretary Cito Lorenzo, Presidential Adviser for creating one million jobs: Best advice from my late dad: In the game of life, what matters is not how many times you win or lose; it is how you pick yourself up every time you fall, for we often lose more than we ever win.
Worst advice: Dont get angry, get even. Vengeance and vindictiveness never satisfy the inner spirit.
Ria Romero, freelance writer: Best advice: Follow your heart but also listen to the murmurings of the mind, which knows ones limitations. My parents always say that with God on your side, the possibilities in life are limitless; all one has to do is believe and have faith. Thats simply true.
Worst advice: When my university adviser told me that I shouldnt go for my masters degree because there was so little time and too much work. I looked at her incredulously and said: Its like an athlete who has been preparing for the marathon, her mindset is for that, then you go and ask her to do just the 100-meter dash! No way!
Carina Agarao, president, Crusade Against Violence: The best advice I got in my life came from my friend, Daphne Kuok. She told me about a friend of hers whom she thinks would be a perfect mate for me. I laughed. Just the same, I asked why, she said we were compatible in a lot of ways we both love kids. Ones weakness is the others strength. Hes the serious type while I enjoy making my friends laugh, etc. She eventually introduced me to this guy named Clarence. I just stood there and smiled. I never knew what she meant until I was able to watch this man up close. He courted me and I said yes. Six years later, we got married and I never regretted even for a moment that decision.
The worst advice? I cant recall any because I dont rely on a single person for advice. I always make it a point to consult a lot of people, put their ideas together then decide for myself. If ever there was something I did that was far from ideal, its not because of the advice I got. There must be something wrong with the way I analyzed their inputs. Then, I only have myself to blame.
Mary Prieto, adviser on etiquette and social graces: Best advice: Dont play with fire, you might get burned. Well, actually, I really did get burned when I was a small girl. My mother was still burning the trash in our backyard and I was there just watching. My mother went inside, I had nothing to do, so I kept moving over the bonfire with first one foot then the other foot and finally one foot fell in and I burned my sock plus ankle. I still have the scar to prove it. I literally did burn.
Worst advice I ever received: Dont marry him, hes just a basketball player. And they didnt even pay basketball players in those times and, well, I insisted and I married my basketball player. He went on to coach the Yco team for seven years in succession, and then he became the first PBA commissioner, he also became an Olympic coach for basketball. Hes still a basketball fan. And Im still a fan of his.
Chickie Locsin, telecom consultant, MBA aspirant: Best advice: "A person doesnt look back at his life and regret that he didnt put in more time on his job or career. Rather, in the autumn of ones life, a person will regret that he didnt spend more time with his family and loved ones, and that he didnt do the things that he enjoys doing most."
I have heard and read this recurring theme from many good friends, who have either articulated it or sent e-mail messages on the subject. I have realized the wisdom of this advice since it changed my lifestyle. I am busy with school and in consultancy, but I now have more time for myself and my family, and can travel, dance and loaf around when friends call. This is balance!
Worst advice: Whenever I dont follow my instinct about people and situations, I often get burned or disappointed. Then I want to hit myself on the head for heeding someones advice instead of relying on my gut feel. I have been wrong many times, too, but the worst cases of falling flat on my face have been instances when I didnt listen to that little voice inside me that cautioned me about peoples insincerity and hidden agenda.
Margot Osmeña, wife of Cebu Mayor Tommy Osmeña: Best advice: The line to God is never busy, talk to him!
Worst advice: Cant remember, hopefully, thats because I didnt follow it!
Anton Rodriguez Mendoza: To believe in God is the best but to fear Him is the worst.
BrandSpace Articles
<
>