Team LOJ All-Stars Huddle

There I was poised atop a monobloc chair in front of the gigantic Feast Builders’ tarp. Osy twisted around – down on her knees, face almost on the floor – her brand new DSLR camera angled for a shot. Our mission: make me look like I’m part of the big picture and do it quickly before a group from another Feast comes to pose. At that instant I wished I had a camera to take her picture, too. We must’ve been a funny sight.

But our carefree mood was not out of place in this carnival. The horde of servant-leaders in identical blue and white LOJ All-Stars jersey echoed our jubilation. And all the people milling around us were engaged in the national pastime of “Kodak-an”. I guess we all wanted to keep a piece of this happy memory – the 2011 Light of Jesus (LOJ) Leaders Assembly.

The morning of January 29, 2011 was a collage of different scenes. LOJ members in sportswear. Balloons shaped into kooky headpieces. Praise and worship at the Philippine Air Force Gym. The anointing by our “coaches” – Bro Bo Sanchez and the Feast Builders – as we prepare to score more goals. And what would a team huddle be without team pictures and a pep talk.

The pep talk was given by Ardy Abello, a motivational speaker who said, “Everything in life is about team work.” He gave 4 insights about teams that are winners:

1. Goal-driven teams will not settle for the good. They go for the great.

Having just finished visioning with my FAMMily (aka Feast Alabang Media Ministry), I felt confident that my go-getting, close-knit team is on the right track to doing great things.

2. Overcoming teams value discipline. Discipline of the mind, body and soul leads to creativity.

Here I got an affirmation about two of my philosophies – a) “Me” time is essential to a sound mind and body; and b) a fit body is a foundation of success. This is an area of struggle for me because some people think this is an alien philosophy I concocted just so I can escape my responsibilities and hang out in the gym at least twice a week.

3. Leading your team with positive influence is key.

A great lesson for me to apply to my team and even my children is that the mind is strengthened if it receives something positive or true.

4. Determination produces long-term results.

We all go through “Everest” experiences or difficult challenges but if we don’t quit midway, there will be no mountain high enough that we can’t conquer. Persevere, persevere, persevere! Got to keep that mantra going when I go through I-can’t-take-any-more-of-this times.

Together with these thoughts on teamwork and the countless pictures to remind us that we belong to one team, we left the huddle ready to start winning more points for Team LOJ.

Team Feast Alabang All-Stars with our "coaches" Arun Gogna and Bo Sanchez.