When Vice Mayor Maria Liza L. Evangelista of Sibagat, Agusan del Sur, stepped up to share her insights at the Inner Conditioning Workshop (ICW), she wasn’t just sharing lessons – she was planting seeds of wisdom. Her heartfelt reflections, and nuggets of biblical inspiration, make the session unforgettable.
From Muddy Fields to Mental Frameworks
“I remember my first ICW,” she began with a nostalgic smile. “It was like an adventurous field trip – farming, site visits, dirt on my shoes, and fresh air in my lungs. Compare that to today, where I only got to attend part of the ICW, and now I’m in an air-conditioned room. Let’s just say the mud might have been messier, but the lessons were equally grounding!”
Vice Mayor Liza compared the past and present workshops, emphasizing how both approaches encouraged self-examination. “The distractions are different now,” she mused. “These days, it’s IT Days – our gadgets, notifications, and endless scrolling. But even amidst all the noise, ICW invites us to talk to ourselves, through prayer.”
Prayer with Purpose: A Biblical Framework
“Jesus says, Ask,” she continued, “but the problem is, we often don’t know what to ask for! That’s where ICW comes in – it gives us a framework. First, examine yourself. Then, figure out where you want to go. Finally, align your values with your goals.”
Quoting from her reflections, she said, “God didn’t just create months for us to tick off days. They’re divine opportunities to pause, reconnect, and realign with our purpose.” She emphasized that prayer isn’t just about words but about talking to the inner self and the divine with clarity.
The Joy of Inner Peace
Maria Liza then shared her take on joy: “It’s not about the things we buy or the positions we hold. True joy comes from peace—peace that comes from knowing who we are, what we stand for, and why we’re here.”
She reminded everyone that public servants, like anyone else, need to condition themselves before they can effectively serve others. “ICW is a gym for the soul. And believe me, the soul needs its exercise, too.”
Values Formation: A Public Servant’s Foundation
Vice Mayor Liza’s wisdom didn’t come from a vacuum. She shared that, long before stepping into politics, she had undergone rigorous personality development and values formation programs during her time as a bank employee. “Even in the civil service, it’s important to revisit and renew these values,” she noted.
“Before we serve others, we need to know ourselves,” she said, with conviction. “Otherwise, how can we extend something we don’t have?”
The Family: Society’s First Teachers
As the Vice Mayor delved deeper, she highlighted the role of families in shaping behavior. “The family is the biggest factor in a child’s development. Our first behaviors? We inherit them from home.” She added that society, education, and government form a threefold framework that collectively shapes individuals.
“Everything starts at home, but it’s strengthened by the community, schools, and yes, government programs. It’s teamwork!” she declared.
The Forgetting Curve and the Habit of Learning
With a chuckle, Vice Mayor Liza admitted, “Let’s face it – we’re all guilty of the forgetting curve. We learn so much, then forget half of it the next day. That’s why practice is key.”
She likened this to reading: “Even if it’s just a few pages a day, the consistency builds a habit. And those small lessons we learn today? They shape our tomorrow.”
Sibagat’s Natural Advantage
Switching gears, she proudly spoke of Sibagat’s natural beauty. “We are blessed here,” she said. “With rivers, trees, and farms, we can walk and reconnect with nature. Unlike the crowded cities where kids are surrounded by screens and stress, our environment nurtures mental health and happiness.”
She added that Sibagat’s tranquility is a gift that many take for granted. “Let’s cherish it, not just for us, but for the generations to come.”
True Development Starts with Human Development
In closing, Vice Mayor Liza returned to the heart of ICW’s message. “True development isn’t just about infrastructure or projects. It starts with human development. It starts with us.”
Her advice was simple yet profound: “Practice what you’ve learned. Reflect daily. And don’t just attend workshops – live their principles.”
With her unique lesson, Vice Mayor Maria Liza L. Evangelista reminded everyone that the greatest transformation begins within – and that’s a lesson worth revisiting, whether in a farming field or a workshop room.
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