CJ Faderogao

We all want to be in control of our time. We want to manage our life in a way that we can balance all of the things we want to do (leisure) and the things that's making it possible for us to do so (career). This is the ideal. Life however is not that simple. Entering our adult life has its excitement and joy but it also has with it the challenge of taking responsibility for how we use our time. One of the challenges that I faced as I enter my adulthood is time management. It seemed that as I made my way out of college and into the workforce, I suddenly found myself surrounded by deadlines, tasks, and priorities. Adding to all these is the necessity of handling my personal life in areas like my finances, relationships, and personal development. I found myself juggling them all for months, feeling stretched out in the process, until I read about a time management concept called The Rule of 3. The rule of 3 concept is originally from J.D. Meier's book Getting results the agile w

What makes a good life? This question has been asked throughout history by philosophers, academics, religious leaders and politicians. Although answers differed from each culture, there remained themes that unites them all. Certain values that are central to our common humanity regardless of our country, race, and traditions. In Greek thought, they call these the four cardinal virtues. They are Justice, Fortitude, Temperance and Prudence. In his book The Republic, Plato referenced these four virtues as necessary traits that people must uphold in order to create a just society. Where each citizen has their distinct role to fill and everyone lives according to the maxims of balance and equanimity. Aristotle expanded on these thoughts on his idea of  the golden mean. A moral norm that suggest living in moderation between the excesses and lacks of the human character.  Although Greek in origin, these virtues have also made mark in the tenets of Christianity. They were named as T he Holy Vi

When's the first time you've known about Greta Thunberg? In the news? In social media? Like many of us, I too was baffled on how a teenage girl from Sweden is able to speak out powerful truths about our changing climate. But I guess that's just the power of telling the truth. You can lean on it even if you're alone; voicing out the truth will always be heard amidst a thousand drowning voices. Greta's work, that of upholding climate justice, started in August 2018 when she protested alone in front of the Swedish parliament house holding a sign with the words "Skolstrejk for Klimatet" (School strike for climate) skipping out her school class in the process. She garnered instant attention from local news publications. In just a span of weeks, people supporting her cause soon accompanied her in protest. Not only this but similar strikes, inspired by Greta's cause, were also organized in other countries. Prior to her protest, Greta was living a simple life.

Starting a reading journey in Philosophy can be intimidating. With numerous topics to cover, it can easily be confusing and drudging. It is, however, normal to feel these things. It's the point of Philosophy after all to get us to question and reflect upon our society, ourselves, and the world that we live in. Nevertheless, it would be of help to have a starting point. A place where we can plant the seed of our curiosities and nurture it as we go along the journey. The internet is teeming with recommendations: "Start with Greek Philosophers" or "Begin with Stoicism" and there are also some that encourages starting with anything we find interesting.  In my case, I went about it by going through Philosophy's History. I decided to make a survey of the subject's landscape first. Doing this allowed me to be familiar with key themes, people and the timeline that occurred within the history of thought.  I think this approach can also be helpful to other people.

Talent isn't passed down in the genes; it's passed down in the mindset. When do praise become counter-productive to our growth? This is a question I like to ask myself whenever I'm doing any type of work. For there are times when I notice that praise, especially those that pertains to one's talents, seem to have the opposite effect. It makes one insecure, defensive, and reluctant to anything that may undermine the approval of others on one's abilities.  Failures are interpreted as a lack or a defect. It becomes a threat to one's self-image that is formed by the constant praise and the belief in one's "specialness".                                        In light of educating myself on this subject, I read this book. I have known about this book for years now but I was only able to read and finish it last month. It's a Psychology classic, 264 pages long, and it's been widely read since it's inception in 2006. It still garners reception

   The Timex Weekender, 38 mm (Black Dial) I haven't owned a Timex watch before and I did not regret getting one. I was initially looking for a smart casual watch that would fit my preference of wearing mostly polos or polo shirt and jeans. Something not to dressy but not to casual either. Days of searching led me to the Timex Weekender. When I saw this watch in person, the first thing I noticed was it's simple design. It has the look of a dress watch but it's components, a 38 mm chrome and stock leather bracelet (in some it would be a nylon strap) maintain that it's a casual watch hence it's name. The classic chrome and strap combination for this watch, or it's original look, is a white chrome with black minute and hour hands, a red second hand, and a nylon strap of red and blue.  But there are other variations available that suits different preferences. I, for instance, prefer a smart casual look that's why I opted to get one with a leather strap and a bla

Photo by Anete Lusina on Pexels It has been a week since I was able to go outside and jog. Usually, I would be able to do it as part of my exercise routine but it was raining at noon these past few days. Due to this, I've been doing home workouts instead.  Today was the day I've been waiting all week. The sky was clear and after waiting a few more moments to see if there will be a chance of rain, I soon determined that there won't be any. So I went outside to jog. The cold breeze of December has not settled but it was apparent that it was disappearing. I remember jogging last month without drenching in sweat because of the cold weather but today was different. The cold breeze has lessened and all there is to feel is the humidity caused by the rain which is neither cold nor warm. The parking area where I jog was wet due to rain, but this was no problem. I will still be able to do my jogging laps.  I arrived noticing the glance of a fellow jogger. A curious glance that looke