What is determination? Determination is one of the greatest assets we can possess. It can bring out the best in us. It is a tool we use to give us the will to win, build character, and can help us prioritize and manage our time to maximize positive results. There are few examples of determination in action like Thomas Edison who tried hundreds of times until he was able to make the first light bulb. Michael Waters, a surfer who was bitten by a shark and determined to fight for his life under attack and survived the ordeal.

When you are determined to achieve a certain goal, what are the things you have to consider?

As a wife, mother, and a teacher, in aiming for a certain goal, I have a lot of factors to consider; such as faith in God, vision, health and the drive to do it. Ever since I was a child, I determined that whatever I do, I must do it with all my might. There is a passage in the Bible, Ecclesiastes 9:10, that says; “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.”

Climbing Mt. Pulag for the second time was a lot different than the first. Why? It’s because when I first climbed Mt. Pulag, I was four years younger. Now, there are factors that work against me. I may not be as strong and agile as before, I have already been there so my enthusiasm is not as great as before. These things might be seen by my companions and it might become a hindrance for them as they climb. But those negative feelings were overcome by my determination and faith in God that I could do it and be a support to our young adults in the Church. During our trek, there was still the feeling of backing out but I was inspired with the strong spirit of our young people who went with us. I saw in them the determination to reach the top.  Even though the rain had not stopped during the whole course of our journey these young people kept going on.  On our journey to the top, I saw the courage, cooperation, initiative, support and love for one another in our young people.

My climb to Mt. Pulag, the coldest and second highest mountain in the Philippines, will serve as an example to my students because I will  be able to show and relate to them the experiences that I had and be able to instill in them the value of determination. Whatever goal they want to achieve in life they have to be determined in order to reach their goal.

© 2007 United Church of God, AIA - Pilipinas