WE need to train our will to always be united with the will of God. That is the proper condition of our will and of our whole life. Outside of that system, the only thing to happen is for us to fall into sin.

This was well illustrated in the readings of the Mass on the 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B. (cfr. Gen 8,1-15 / 2 Cor 4,13-5,1 / Mk 3,20-35) In the first reading, we see how our first parents, still in the state of original justice, managed to follow the will of the tempter rather than that of God. And so, they lost the many privileges they enjoyed at that time: immortality, impassibility, integrity, etc.

In the second reading, we are reminded that as long as we follow Christ, no negative and harmful things can affect us. “Though our outward man is corrupted, yet the inward man is renewed day by day,” St. Paul said in his Second Letter to the Corinthians (4,16)
We really have to try to fathom the veracity of this divine wisdom articulated by St. Paul and lived by Christ himself and all the saints and the holy men and women down the ages who tried to follow Christ closely. In this regard, we really need to enter into the spiritual and supernatural level of God by responding actively to the faith, hope and charity that God himself gratuitously shares with us.

The gospel of the day reminds us of training ourselves to protect and defend ourselves from the enemies of God—our own weaknesses, the allurements of the world, and the most deceptive tricks of the devil.

Everyday, we have to find practical ways of how we can unite our will with God’s will. Our will should not just be floating around on its own, thinking that it is how it enjoys its freedom. We need to acknowledge that our will is a creation of God and is meant to be united to God’s will since we have been created in his image and likeness. We need to acknowledge the truth that our real freedom is when our will is united to the will of God.
This, definitely, is not an easy task to do, given the fact that it is precisely in our will where we choose whether we would like to be with God, or to be simply on our own. And given how we handle this issue, starting with our first parents all the way to the present, we always have the strong tendency to think that our will is simply our own.

We therefore have to be strongly wary of this danger and do everything we can to avoid it. I suppose it goes without saying that we need to be frequently reminded that our will needs to be anchored on the will of God. That’s how our will acquires its proper status.
We have to learn to live always by God’s will. This is a basic truth that we need to spread around more widely and abidingly, since it is steadily and even systematically forgotten and, nowadays, even contradicted in many instances.

The ideal condition for us is to be always aware that our will is united with God’s will, and closely and lovingly follows it. The moment we are not aware of it, we need to react immediately and fix the problem.

In the competitive world of business, success is not guaranteed. It requires careful planning, effective execution, and continuous adaptation. To achieve long-term success, businesses need to employ strategic approaches that align with their goals and values. In this article, we will explore key strategies that can pave the way to business success.

Define Your Vision and Goals: Begin by clearly defining your business vision and long-term goals. This will provide a sense of purpose and guide your decision-making. Set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals that align with your vision. These goals act as a roadmap, keeping you focused and motivated.

Understand Your Target Market: To succeed in business, you must understand your target market inside out. Thoroughly research the market to gain insights into your target customers, including their needs, preferences, and purchasing behavior. This understanding will empower you to customize your products or services to effectively meet their specific demands. Stay attuned to market trends and anticipate changes to stay ahead of the competition.

Develop a Unique Value Proposition: In a competitive marketplace, having a unique value proposition is vital. Identify what differentiates your business from competitors and communicate it effectively to your target audience. Whether it’s exceptional customer service, innovative products, or competitive pricing, highlight the aspects that make your business distinct. This will attract customers and foster brand loyalty.

Build a Strong Team: Your team plays a critical role in the success of your business. Surround yourself with talented, motivated individuals who share your vision and values. Seek diversity in skills and perspectives to bring a range of expertise to your organization. Nurture a work culture that promotes collaboration, creativity, and a commitment to lifelong learning. Invest in your team’s professional development to enhance their skills and keep them engaged.

Develop Effective Marketing Strategies: Marketing is essential for business success. Develop a comprehensive marketing strategy that encompasses various channels, such as digital marketing, social media, content marketing, and traditional advertising. Customize your marketing endeavors to efficiently reach your target marketstay. Monitor and analyze the results of your marketing campaigns to refine your strategies and maximize their impact.

Prioritize Customer Satisfaction: Happy customers are the lifeblood of any successful business. Make customer satisfaction a top priority by delivering exceptional products or services and providing outstanding customer support. Listen actively to customer feedback and use it to continuously improve your offerings. Build strong relationships with your customers, as loyal customers can become brand advocates and help drive business growth.

Embrace Innovation and Adaptability: The business landscape is ever-evolving, and successful businesses embrace innovation and adaptability. Stay updated about the latest industry trends and technological advancements that may have an impact on your business. Foster a culture of innovation within your organization, encouraging employees to explore new ideas and take calculated risks. Continuously evaluate and refine your business strategies to stay ahead of the curve and seize emerging opportunities.

By considering these factors and consistently reviewing and adjusting your approach, you can build a strong foundation for a thriving and successful business. Remember that business success requires dedication, perseverance, and a willingness to evolve with the changing times. By defining your vision, understanding your target market, developing a unique value proposition, building a strong team, implementing effective marketing strategies, prioritizing customer satisfaction, and embracing innovation, you can pave the way to long-term success for your business. Remember, success is a journey, and with the right strategies in place, you can achieve your goals and thrive in the competitive business world.
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If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts on the column, feel free to send an email to jca.bblueprint@gmail.com. Looking forward to connecting with you!

The reality that some courses are attracting more takers than others, certain courses attract a disproportionately large number of students. This oversubscription poses challenges for both educational institutions and aspiring learners. The possibility of
In the Eastern Visayas consisting of the Island Province of Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Samar ( Western), Eastern Samar, there are 87 Institutions of Higher Learning it consists of 10 State Universities and Colleges, 28 Satellite Campuses and 46 Private HEIs. Using the AY 2023 Data available in the Commission on Higher Education Website it has a total of 207,599 enrollees.

The most popular course or Program is Bachelor of Criminal Justice Education ,popularly known as BS Criminology and Bachelor of Elementary Education, Bachelor of Secondary Education or Education Courses.

What gives or what would be the reasons of going through into the throngs and lining up towards this program?

For Education students here are a few random thoughts of a few respondents when they were asked why they have chosen the said program?

1. Stability, a few students of BS Elementary Education and BS Secondary Education declared that they see the program as stable, with steady demand of having more teachers because of the constant demand for quality education and the yearly increase of enrollees in basic education.

2. Influence from parents and relatives who are teachers themselves. This reason was the second frequent reply. It is a family influence so to speak.

3.Perceived Government Support. The Constitution provides allocating more to the field of education and it has always been a cornerstone of every politician’s narrative.

Criminology programs, leading to a Bachelor of Science in Criminology (BSCRIM), also witness oversubscription. Here is why:

1. Media Influence: Crime-related TV shows, movies, and news stories romanticize law enforcement and criminal investigation. As a result, young individuals aspire to become police officers, investigators, or forensic experts.

2. Career Opportunities: Criminology graduates can work in various fields, including law enforcement, private security, and corrections. The allure of exciting and impactful careers draws many students to this field.

3. Public Safety Concerns: The Philippines faces security challenges such as crime, terrorism, and drug-related issues. As a result, there is a perceived need for more criminology professionals to maintain public safety.

4. Bigger Pay -undoubtedly the police and other uniformed personnel are enjoying higher pay than most public servants, owing to the risks that they have in their jobs .
The challenge for HEIs is to enact or do major modifications of their ways of doing things to address the oversubscription on the said courses.

Humbly, this public servant forwards the following suggestions.

1. Alternative Career Paths:-Encourage students to explore alternative career options within education and criminology. For example, education graduates can work in curriculum development, educational technology, or school administration.

2. Career Counseling and Awareness:-Educational institutions should provide comprehensive career counseling to help students make informed choices. Highlight lesser known but equally rewarding career paths related to these fields

3. Quality over Quantity: Institutions should focus on maintaining high standards of education rather than accommodating excessive student numbers.

Oversubscription can strain resources and compromise the quality of education. It will also lead to unemployment due to the sheer number of students and graduates of these two programs.