What sets people apart

A few years shy of turning thirty, I could say I’ve been lucky to have worked in three different sectors—public (government), media (broadcast and print), and private (the corporate world). And my experience, though still wanting as opposed to many of my elders, has taught me that there are certain things that set people apart. Some books on leadership and management focus on the disparities between leaders and followers, between visionaries, luminaries and mere mortals.

But this is not about how great leaders reach the apex of their earthly existence; nor is this focused on how followers settle for less and fail to chase after their dreams. After all, “success” never equates to genuine and lasting happiness. In my humble opinion, it’s all a matter of perspective, of character. And these are what set people apart.

No matter the position, the level, the control one has or the power one wields, if one is always insecure and envious of what others have, one will never be happy, and guaranteed, one will be perpetually pathetic. I’ve seen high ranking government officials, superstars, company directors, all full of themselves, but always wittingly or unwittingly comparing themselves to others, some of whom even supposedly lower in rank than they, and in the process always successfully brandishing how sorry and sad their personal state of affairs is. They are they who will never learn to live and thrive on their own merits; how depressing.

On the other hand, there are hardworking staff, some even contractual, without any security of tenure, who have dispositions sunnier and brighter than some of the world’s wealthiest billionaire recluses, retiring in the comfort and darkness of their lonely and desolate Rhode Island mansions.

Again, it’s not what you have, it’s how you make the most of what you have. So even in the perennial and ever-growing divide between the haves and the have nots, happiness can be found and had on either side of the fence. The difference is perspective and character, and these are what set people apart.

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I’d like to invite all of you to join the party: “What’s Your Number?” Mövenpick’s Grand Valentine Beach Party this February 14, Valentine’s Day.

Single, taken, boy, girl, straight,gay,young, cougar, celebrity or not—come one, come all to Mövenpick Resort and Spa Cebu’s great Valentine mix-up by the beach—open bar!

Ask “What’s your number?” till you find your perfect match in the biggest dating game this season of love!Be the first to find your match and win a 3 day, 2 night stay in a deluxe room. At P969 nett, enjoy open bar fun from 8:30 - 11:00 pm & music from DJ War till you drop.... Plus other exciting games at the beach!

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Tonight on The Bottomline with Boy Abunda: Does God really exist? Watch a most fiery and spirited discussion on God’s existence as we peer into the mind of Red Tani, a self-confessed atheist and founder of the Filipino Freethinkers.

Watch it after Banana Split on ABS-CBN Channel 2. Encore telecast on the ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC), Sunday, 1:00 pm.