Have you felt how easier it is to give up on your dreams than try again? I guess the road to surrender is always wider, but the road to pursuing your passion is always steeper. Learn it from one of my mentors, Jack Canfield who along with his book partner Mark Victor Hansen received a hundred “Nos” before arriving at that one single “Yes!” to publish their book Chicken Soup for the Soul Series which became worldwide bestsellers.

He said, “One of the things that may get in the way of people being lifelong learners is that they’re not in touch with their passion. If you’re passionate about what it is you do, then you’re going to be looking for everything you can to get better at it.”

“Are you in touch with your passion?”, he asked in a previous seminar I attended. He said that if we are not, we can get wayward and unfocused in our pursuit of success. In his best-selling book The Success Principles, Mr. Canfield stressed on these two important self-resolutions: “Be Clear Why You are Here” and “Decide What You Want”.

The last few years since I’ve written the Tale of Juliet, I have been attending Mark Victor Hansen’s Mega Book Marketing event in the United States. This is where I met Jack. Since I’m a frequent attendees of their events in Norh America, Jack, in one of the events, recognized me and said, “Jhet, I love Manila (Philippines) and the warm and friendly people. I was just in the Philippines in 2006 and was toured around by this nice fellow Anthony Pangilinan.” He said he met then Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in the presidential Malacanang Palace and spoke at the Philippine Senate.

What a coincidence that Anthony Pangilinan also became my friend, business associate, and mentor to me and my two daughters. I was also at the Palace, had a warm reception at the music room and was interviewed and featured on national TV. After that, I was a guest at the Senate flag raising ceremony not too long before Jack’s visit in the Philippines.

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AFTER TWO YEARS of shying away from writing and blogging… KICKING OFF WITH CHANGING LIVES CONCERT – Yihahhh!!!

TIMBALAND, JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE, JOJO ROCKS MANILA, PHILIPPINES,

March 27, 2010, SM Mall of Asia

http://www.youtube.com/user/jhetvanruyven?feature=mhw5#p/a/u/1/knRXSXRfFgU

Morning of March 27 I woke up early. We, (Francis, daughter Mish and I) are to go to the beach somewhere in Batangas, South of Manila for a break from the city.  The night before I heard that Justin Timberlake would be in a concert the following evening.  Tickets must be sold out by then. Although in the back of my mind, last minute I thought it would be nice to go.  (Wishful thinking?) Justin Timberlake is kind of cute and I love to see him perform live.

That morning, ( the day of the concert) we were already an hour away from the city on our way to the beach, when the concert interest was discussed amongst us. Expecting miracles, our good friend Francis made a single phone call and after few text exchanges later on.. BINGO we secured not only 1 ticket but 3 tickets for the concert.  Thanks to Shar and Jaimie and whoever the tickets originated from. We turned around, changed our plans to a closer venue day-trip get- away to make it back to the concert. Yippeeee!!!

Lessons Learned :

1) Miracles happen when you believe. Expect Miracles for miracles happen when you least expected it.

2) Ask – You’ll never know what is instore for you when you don’t ask.

3) Be Open and spontaneous – practice no attachment. Be ready to change plans at anytime

Here I am click the link here

http://www.youtube.com/user/jhetvanruyven?feature=mhw5#p/a/u/1/knRXSXRfFgU

(Jhet aka Juliet author THE TALE OF JULIET – You Have The Power to Change Your Life) with daughter Michelle (Mish van Ruyven) dancing and singing our hearts away at Changing Lives Timbaland, Jojo and Justine Timberlake Concert. Huge Crowd! This is just the beginning of a 3 hour concert.

(Last time we saw a concert was of our very own Gary Valenciano courtesy of our friend Anthony Pangilinan and it was not an outdoor standing room only crowd. We were in the front seats and in the comfort of airconed Araneta Colliseum. In Canada, was a concert by Yanni inside the GM Place exact same venue where we had the 2010 Opening and Closing ceremony and  infamous Canadian Olympic Gold Hockey Game.  This is totally different from where we are used to and I had so much fun)

Timbaland  is a Grammy Award winning record producer, singer and rapper. Concert proceeds go to PLDT – Smart Foundation – Changing Lives, victim of Ondoy.

Come sing a long with us….

IF WE EVER MEET AGAIN

What’s somebody like you, doing in a place like this?
say, did you come alone? or did you bring all your friends.
say, whats your name, what you drinking
i think i know what you’re thinking
baby whats your sign, tell me yours ill tell you mine
say, whats somebody like you doing in a place like this

CHORUS:
I’ll never be the same – if we ever meet again
Won’t let you get away-ay – say, if we ever meet again
This free fall’s, got me so
Kiss me all night, don’t ever let me go
I’ll never be the same
if we ever meet again

say if we ever meet again

Do you come here much? I swear I’ve seen your face before
Hope you don’t see me flash, but I cant help but want you more, more
Baby tell me whats your story
I ain’t shy, don’t you worry
I’m flirting with my eyes, wanna leave with you tonight
So do you come here much, I gotta see your face some more, some more