Success: First Day of Life

(This is my article in Vibrations, my column in Negros Daily Bulletin, a community newspaper in Bacolod City, Philippines, published in July 26, 2004.)

Gordon B. Hinckley

I was observing the thirty members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who have realized and appreciated the importance of planning a feasible career in life, which is a stepping stone for them in attaining successful life and earning a good income.

Evolved from its title course "Success: This is the First Day of Your Life", this one-day workshop taught the participants some skills, particularly in developing their goals, resources, and continued success, which are the valuable units in the said workshop.

"Learning process is endless," said President Gordon B. Hinckley, the 13th President of the LDS Church in statement from Standing for Something (2000) as shown by overhead projector during opening presentation of the workshop, set the tone of the educational and career development activity.

Elder Nile Peterson and Sister Julie Peterson,who were the couple missionaries from Bacolod Mission, conducted this career development seminar/workshop. Elder Peterson started by presenting the coat of arms, which are divided into 7 sections. Each section requires a personal information about the participant. What made every participant preoccupied are the possible traits or skills needed in attaining section 5, which is about the 3 things to be accomplished by everyone.

The Participants

While sister Peterson, in her part, shared a faith-promoting experience which touched everyone. She testified how she was able to overcome hardships in her life while she was still a kid. And she dramatized her testimony by presenting a pair of socks of a kid.

Knowing about themselves and by completing the skill lists, the eager participants tackled activity of "I Am, I Have, I Can" and created "Me in 30 Seconds" statement. At random, each participant read his work. Everyone manifested their reaction to his work by raising a green flaglet for positive effect and red flaglet for negative outlook.

After they made their career plan, those participants from San Enrique, Manggapsang, Masville, La Castellana, La Carlota First and Second branches affixed their respective signatures as their commitment which read in part: "They will never compromise their value or standards. They will never lose the Holy Ghost in their lives. They know that the Heavenly Father wants them to prosper and to bless them in their efforts to accomplish their career goal."

The success of this one-day career development among the participants as a part of LDS employment resources services was attributed to the leadership of La Carlota District President Ariel Baquinquito and his counselors, President Randy Marabe and President Arlen Malacaman along with the initiative and resourcefulness of District Young Men Presidency led by President Louie Patio and District Young Women President led by his wife, Sister Teresa Patio.

"There is nothing quite as invigorating as being able to evaluate and then solve a difficult problem, to grapple with something that seems almost unsolvable and then find a resolution," a concluding statement of President Hinckley presented by the facilitators, Elder and Sister Peterson. This practically prodded everyone to keep on moving and attain success in life.