Joseph T. Bismark's book The Gem Collection: A Compilation of Wisdom was formally launched in the Philippines last December 11, 2o10. With Mr. Bismark coming in to the country, it was high time that he also met his adoring Filipino followers. Bestsellers by National Bookstore was the perfect venue. I got there right on time to see the great man and his work. I was in for more.
The mood was light and quite festive. We felt that too because this was more of a celebration. His work has been seen in a lot of countries and admired by thousands of people. I was definitely at awe on how he was received by the ones who attended the launch because as soon as he started to read a part of the book, everyone was glued to their seats and I see a majority of them nodding in agreement (saying "Yesssss... Yesssss..." on some occasion) as if I'm watching a religious exposition inside the mall. To tell you honestly I've never heard of him (no pun intended); but he was one of the few guys who had his book mentioned in a post from Jessica Zafra's blog (of which I'm a fan of being a book lover) stating that he had his work on best sellers list; and by well known fact, he's a Filipino! I was impressed to say the least from the lengthy and worthwhile introduction; but what I was more intrigued about was, what's all the fuzz with this guy?! What did he do to gain such admiration from them? Is he really that good of a writer?!
I was a skeptic to say the least and after all the merry making we did on the event I went in and bought a copy for myself. I never review books that I never read; and in this occasion I had to find out the answer to my own questions. I usually only read EBOOKS nowadays and I thought this was high time I go back to the basics and read the actual one. From the "Foreward" alone it was all making sense to me. He wrote and compiled his life's valuable lessons. I was doing a couple of pages and finished it in around 2 and a half hours (maybe less). I said to my self "Wait, did I just finish that whole book that fast?!" because apparently it was a feel good no nonsense read. I immediately got to relate on some of the anecdotes in between and realized something very valuable. I already knew the lessons in the book... I just wasn't using what I learned from life the same way that he did. His remarks about getting THE purpose in life was one of the simplest yet ingenious things I should have done a long time ago. I guess I was looking around too much that I forgot to look how damaged I was to begin with, and that I can still do something about it.
The things related to management was perfect for people like me who are in the same industry. You'll learn how to handle people and yourself well in a couple of parts. I highly suggest this for young professionals who are starting out/making their life's mission statement. He made me realize what I was worth because as I read the things in the book; they were also my gems after all. I also realized that I was worth more than I thought I was... and how valuable living this life with a purpose.
In the end, I surprisingly learned a lot from this book. I now know why they felt that way when they read it and why they were so grateful about this man. Because in someway, somehow, his book would make you find your own gems. He practically gave all those people back their own gems. So that's why... I also found mine.
Get a copy of it in all National Bookstore branches nationwide. Oh and did I forget to mention, I'm a fan of his work now! =)
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