All-Around Pinay Mama

Achieve Your Professional and Personal Goals Through The Freelance Fair 2017

August 30, 2017

I took the courage to resign from my job as a teacher and started freelancing in 2006. I was determined. I had guts over fear. I turned my love for crafting into business. Then I opened a blog site in 2012 just to write as a diversionary activity. I never thought that I could be invited by brands to do collaborations and earn through writing.

Until now, I still have the luxury of time taking care of my family while earning through what I am passionate about.

I still want to take freelancing to the next level. I still need to learn more. I am not contented to be self-taught that's why I am so excited to join THE FREELANCE FAIR 2017.

The Freelance Fair 2017, Manila Workshops, SJ Valdez

In line with this, I wish that one of you can join me. Here's a GIVEAWAY/EVENT ALERT courtesy of Manila Workshops.

Mars at Pards, I invite you to join THE FREELANCE FAIR 2017 by Manila Workshops this coming Saturday, September 2, 2017, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM in Bayanihan Center, Pasig! For those who wish to attend this event, you may use the promo code: TFF17blog_SJV200off upon registration until August 31 to get Php200 discount! You may register and know the details about the fair here: THE FREELANCE FAIR 2017.

I will be raffling ONE SEAT worth Php800 for this event. Madali lang sumali. Just FIND THE PHOTO BELOW AND REPOST ON INSTAGRAM (to be seen by PUBLIC, please...) with the hashtags #allaroundpinaymama #aapmgiveaway #ManilaWorkshopsxAAPM #TheFreelanceFair2017.

A post shared by Gng. SJ Valdez (@allaroundpinaymama) on Aug 30, 2017 at 1:22am PDT

SHARE THIS POST ON YOUR FACEBOOK WALL (to be seen by PUBLIC, please...) and LEAVE YOUR FULL NAME AND URL OF THE SHARED POST IN THE COMMENT SECTION BELOW THE POST.

I will choose the winner through random.org and will be announced tomorrow afternoon, August 31. Make sure that you can attend before you join. Thank you! I hope you'll join! God bless...

Check out the announcement below by Manila Workshops, This will make you realize that you should not miss this event especially if you are thinking of pursuing to be a freelancer.

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SPELLING OUT FREEDOM WITH FREELANCING

What comes to mind when you think of Freelancing? Do you see it as merely a sideline job or as what we Filipinos informally call ‘Raket’? By common definition, Freelancing is when you are self-employed, by offering your skills and services to clients or businesses, without necessarily being bounded to a single employer or a long-term contract. If you haven’t dipped your toes in Freelancing, then perhaps now is the time to consider.

Did you know that according to Upwork, a leading global online jobs platform, the Philippines is the third highest - earning country in the world when it comes to freelancing? In fact, more than 1.4 million Filipinos are registered in the platform alone!

With the sheer power of that number, it only attests to an overwhelming number of individuals who have found their fulfillment and achieved their #Lifegoals in Freelancing. This is not to ignore that like any other profession or job, Freelancing does have its own unique struggles, but if you’re the kind of person who wishes to feel and be more empowered in one or in all aspects of your life, then allow us to sum up what Freelancing can give you: F-R-E-E-D-O-M. And yes, we do intend to spell it out literally, by giving you our take of what that word means in the world of Freelancing. So if you’re an aspiring freelancer or entrepreneur, or avoiding a potential bout of “FOMO”, then read on!

1) F - lexibility and Autonomy

We live in the Digital Age, so it should come as no surprise the technologies that can allow us to work anytime and anywhere, and provide services to clients from anywhere in the globe! Say goodbye to long commutes and hello to telecommuting! Also, the nature of Freelancing can give you the flexibility and autonomy to work at your own pace and choose the clients and projects you want to work on.

2) R – ewarding Career

Who says that Freelancing can’t be a career or profession? For many who have gone this route, it has paved way for them to pursue their dream jobs without the constraints of a fixed job description or the frustration of being stuck in a mundane ‘9-5’ office job. As a self-employed professional, you are fully empowered to pursue projects that would nurture your skills and passions.

3) E – ndless possibilities

As a freelancer, there is no limit to the opportunities and possibilities you can pursue, now that you have full control of your career, profession and time. Whereas before, the most part of your day and energy would be spent in long energy-draining meetings and long commutes, Freelancing lets you color and fill each day with activities that you consider truly aligned in attaining your life goals.

4) E – nables you to design your own lifestyle

Are you a night owl who is most productive in the evenings? Dreamed of having your own 4-Hour Work Week? Or what about getting down to finally working on that business plan for your dream start-up? With Freelancing, you can get creative on how you design your typical week, that would specially cater to your unique personality, interests and quirks.

5) D – o things your way

Always had a need to be in full control of your work, surroundings and growth? Then Freelancing will definitely give you that! Being your own boss is one of the great perks of being a Freelancer, and that means getting things AND results done just the way you envisioned it.

6) O – wn your time

Ever wondered how it would be like to respond to emails in your swimwear, with your toes brushing the sand as it points towards a breathtaking view of the beach? Well, in the Freelancing Handbook, you are free to take a vacation in the middle of the week, just as long as you get the job done and your clients happy. Becoming a Freelancer means taking full control of your time and schedule.

7) M – ake room for the people and things that truly matterAnd here’s the most important part. Freelancing enables you to spend more time with your family, and other things that truly make life meaningful. With Freelancing, it has paved way for the rise of thousands of hands-on mommies, who find fulfillment in being able to nurture both their families and careers. Whilst for many others, they found it in more time spent in pursuing volunteer work, or in endeavors which define their passions and values.

There you have it. That’s how you spell Freedom with Freelancing!

And if you’re itching to learn more about the boundless opportunities of being a Freelancer, then you’re in luck. This year, Manila Workshops, with the support of the Department of Information Communications and Technology (DICT), will be holding the 2nd Freelancer Fair on Sept. 2, 2017, to be held at the Bayanihan Center, Pioneer, Pasig City. It is the country’s first and largest event for Freelancers, which would gather together freelancers, business owners and brands for a whole day of talks tackling the Freelancing Landscape and the different opportunities in store for both existing and aspiring freelancers. The theme for this year’s full day event is Cultivating Relationships, as inspired by the mission to cultivate, nurture and help more people discover how Freelancing can help them achieve their professional and personal goals.

For more information about this year’s The Freelancer Fair, visit their EventPage. Get your ticket and see you at the Fair!

To learn more about Manila Workshops, the organization behind this event, connect with them on Facebook and Twitter. You can also view their upcoming workshops by visiting their official website. *About The Freelancer Fair:

The Freelancer Fair is an annual event started last by Manila Workshops, headed by the team’s CEO – Ginger Arboleda, a former employee, freelancer and now a serial entrepreneur / technopreneur, and mom blogger. The Freelancer Fair was built especially for aspiring and existing freelancers, companies, brands and organizations who want to support the Philippines’ freelancing industry.

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MUST-READ: Family Goals, Embracing the Imperfections of Family Life by Michele S. Alignay

August 09, 2017

"If you want to bring happiness to the whole world, go home and love your family.”

- Mother Theresa

The family is the core of the society. What makes up a family including its values and principles can contribute in any way for the good and happiness of the community. It's the responsibility of the husband and wife to fulfill their duties to themselves and their children out of love and not by mere obligation. The members of the family should grow together and reach their goals as one. Together, they can live their lives to the fullest, pulling one another up, and must be willing to pull back a family member that is becoming out of sync.

The family members must be mindful. In my own words it means that they should be physically, spiritually, psychologically, and mentally present whenever they are together. Spending time with one another should be quantified by time and quality. They should know their priorities and be always there for everyone. Therefore, nobody should be left behind.

Problems arise but resilience, understanding, patience, respect, love, and most of all, making God as the center of the family makes the relationship among its members more happy, fruitful, and meaningful.

Reading the book, "Family Goals, Embracing the Imperfections of Family Life by Michele S. Alignay", made me realize so many things. It prompted me to reflect on our family's condition, validate that somehow our family has been doing the right things when it comes to facing challenges, and answer so many personal questions as a mom.

I am feeling under the weather today and reading just a few pages of this book has lifted me up literally and figuratively. Thank you so much for sharing your gift of writing, Miss @michelealignay! Thank you, @brotherbosanchez and Shepherd's Voice Publication, Inc., for sending me this book through the initiative of Miss @tinasrodriguez. It's such a lovely gift. God bless you. 💕 . My thoughts about this book soon! 😉 . . #allaroundpinaymama #aapmmustread #aapmrecommends #shepherdsvoice #book #bookstagram #inspire #family #relationships #bookworm #blessed #grateful #loved

A post shared by Gng. SJ Valdez (@allaroundpinaymama) on Jul 5, 2017 at 1:08am PDT

Are we living as a family that God wants us to be?

Are we having a harmonious relationship?

Do we deal with trials and problems properly?

Am I fulfilling my duties as a wife and mom?

Do I fully understand that each member of my family is different and be treated with utmost respect, loyalty, and love?

Am I a mindful person all the time?

I am not being hard on myself but sometimes I feel inadequate as a mom and wife. I am not perfect. I also feel tired and burned-out. When I am so exhausted, sometimes I do things only out of obligation.

I also whined, felt so empty that nothing was left for myself figuratively and literally. Maybe, you had the same experience. Like me, surely you also felt guilty.

After reading this book, I felt that there's nothing wrong with acknowledging our true feelings. What would matter most would be knowing how to channel our efforts positively and making sure that we would be basing our decisions for the good of the entire family.

Obviously, there are so things to be done and learned as I live with my family. This book has helped me in so many ways to improve my relationship with my spouse and kids. Honestly, I am still a work in progress. I would like to share some excerpts from the book that struck me.

1 "The heart of family bonding is more than the place where the family is or the occasions we celebrate. It's more than the food on the table or the activity we share. The heart is that portion of ourselves we willingly share with our family, without losing the essence of individuality. That 'I' in the family builds the healthy beautiful 'we'."

2 "You can enrich your relationships and converse in a deeper gut level by having the guts to talk, to laugh, to whine, and to mutually connect with the very people who hold you dear. Go and talk. Share yourself, especially what you feel. Do not be afraid to be vulnerable. Listen to the other person. Free yourself from judgments and giving opinions. Listen more and empathize. Just be who you are. Then see the wonders it does in deepening your relationship!"

3 "Mindfulness is being present in the moment. It is not fretting over what could have been. It's not judging ourselves for what we should be. It's allowing our thoughts as they are, observing them and checking ourselves against taped ideas."

4 "Family and relationships are fluid and flowing. We live. We learn. We are rebirthed. We grow. We retool. We relearn. As we go from one cycle to the next, it's a must to prioritize our intimate relationship with our spouse and our loving relationships with our children. To quote Anthony Brandt, 'Other things may change us, but we begin and end with the family.'"

5 "The emotional exchanges are crucial to our relationships. Sometimes, our relationships gets scarred, bitter, or estranged when we have more unpleasant emotional outburts. But why do we exhibit more emotions and become more transparent with our feelings when we got closer to someone? Because intimacy in relationships and the feelings of closeness only happen if there is a sharing of emotions. Our feelings are part of who we are. That feeling is uniquely ours. These feelings are actually part of God's great design for us."

6 "A resilient family views stress and crisis as opportunities for inner transformation and growth."

7 "'It's not that we are busy, but what are we busy about.' Our core values will always be the center from which our life energy will flow. If we sre deadlocked in decision-making, aligning our realities snd priorities to our core values should make things clear."

8 "Why settle for spark when you can have fire."

9 "The best gift parents can give their children is a happy marriage. Happy parents and fulfilled married life bring about happy children and fulfilling parenting."

10 "ACCEPT. ACKNOWLEDGE. AFFIRM. They're like a magic formula for unloving the mysteries of loving relationships. It's living beyond the box. It's a conscious decision we live out each day as we express appreciation for our spouse."

11 "Moving on is a decision, not a feeling. And since it's a decision, we can sue our mind (more than our hearts) to think of how we get from point A (hopeless situation) to point B (a better state). Changing our mindset will change our patterns, habits, decisions, and emotions."

12 "Let's forego of our 'shoulds' to see and appreciate what is in front of us. Let's allow ourselves to be free from our to-do list so we can connect with our loved ones. We need to touch them, to look at their faces, to connect not only with what we say but connect through their eyes, mind, heart and even their soul. And our nonverbal communications do not lie. Relationships will not thrive if we do not experience the other person-- in the flesh through our senses."

Alignay, M. S.(2016). Family Goals, Embracing the Imperfections of Family Life. Cubao, Quezon City: Shepherd's Voice Publications, Inc.

I recommend this book to all parents, husbands, wives, and those who are planning to get married and raise a family. I agree with what Brother Bo Sanchez said, "I'm so happy that Michele is giving us this important gift: clear, powerful, and wise guidance on how you can make your own family great." His statement sums up the magic that this book can bring to every family.

Courtesy: Michele S. Alignay

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About the Book

Wouldn't it be great to have a perfect family? But now and then we got stuck with issues and problems that make it imperfect. Sometimes it can seem like downright hell!

Our family means the world to us, but they're the same people who get on our nerves. We want to improve the situation, but the very people we want to help are part of the system that keeps us trapped.

So how on earth can we understand and embrace our far-from-perfect family? Finally, here's a book that points is where our relationships have gone wrong, what we can do to revamp them and what goals to aim for to have a perfectly imperfect family we all dream of.

This book will give you practical and wise lessons to help you confront sticky issues and conflicts that tear your family apart, increase your intimacy with your partner, apply healthy ways of coping with life's stresses, especially those that attack your family's well-being, have crucial conversations with your kids and teens on growing-up pains, sexuality and other issues on digital age, and maneuver through critical family matters that will inspire you to deliberately work to achieve your family goals so you can go from OK to great!

About the Author

Michelle S. Alignay is a registered psychologist (RP) and a registered guidance counselor (RGC). Ichel contributes her expertise on family life as a columnist in Kerygma magazine, as administrator of Bo Sanchez's Family Reborn Club, and one of the board of experts of Mommy Mundo. She is also an in-demand speaker, an author, and a part-time lecturer for graduate and undergraduate students. Above all, her favorite roles are being a wife to Koots and a mom to Migo and Maia.