ariellalisan.org – Homeward Bound

HE SAYS I should be part of Introvoys. No, it is not because I can sing well. Definitely not. It is because when he asks me to sing, I only sing the first few lines of the song and he would always prod me finish it.

My conversations with Ken on the phone does not only keep me sane. They also make me realize some of life’s little lessons.

One recent insight I got from him is about beginnings.

Yeah, I am man of beginnings. I am always enthused with starting new things, trying out something new and something different.

Most of the time, I exert all my energy and resources on something I am initiating. Most of the time, my interest wanes halfway through. They call it ningas-cogon in Filipino.

That concept of ningas-cogon has a negative reputation in the Filipino value system. People would say that it is not about how well you do at the start but how you finish it.

Well, that is sound.

But don’t you think it’s better to make a good start and influence other people to take part in the consummation of what you wish to get done? You start the fire and let it spread out.

Make a number of good beginnings. If you start it real good, you can ease your way out to the finish line. Usually, if something is really supposed to last, it eventually will. But press on if you must.