It’s Holy week in the Philippines and many entrepreneurs are on vacation. At least, they try to be on vacation. For many entrepreneurs, their business is their life, not a job. I wanted to share these stories as a point for reflection for this season of Lent.

There is a story about life involving changing tires. A boy was speaking to his father. "Dad", the boy said, " My teacher says, that life is like a round wheel." "That's right son," the dad responded, "It is like a round tire that goes around and around. Just like business, sometimes your up and then sometimes your down."

"I don't believe that Dad," the boy exclaimed. "Why son?", the father asked. "Because Dad, if that were true, why are we always poor?" The father started laughing and after composing himself answered, "well son, the tire is flat."Life is really like a wheel or tire. It goes up and down. But it can also get a flat.

Let me tell you another story that I read about.There once was a king of a magnificent kingdom. He was wealthy beyond belief. He was proud. He looked upon all that he could see and said to himself, "I am the greatest King."But a rebellion started, the king fought the rebels. But he was defeated in battle. the King fled the battlefield, pursue by his enemies. He rode his mighty steed faster and faster, but the sounds of pursuit became louder and louder.He jumped his mighty steed thru the bushes only to be startled by the sight of a cliff. He reined his steed and tried to reverse his course but the deafening sounds of pursuit became nearer and nearer.He despaired. He looked down at the massive abyss before him and contemplated leaping to a glorious end. Just as he was about to urge the frightened stallion to jump, the sun's rays caught the diamond of his ring causing it to sparkle and dazzle him.He glanced at the ring, a ring that his father had passed on to him. Inscribed lay the words, "It will pass."

The King felt a calmness come over him. He closed his eyes and thought of his father. When he opened them, the sounds of pursuit had become fainter and fainter.The King was filled with hope. He gathered together the remnants of his army and galvanized his people. Together they crushed the rebellion and the kingdom was saved. The kingdom became richer and greater.The King became proud once again.

One day, as he stood before his high balcony surveying his kingdom, the sun again caught his ring causing it to sparkle. He glanced and read the same words as before. He was moved to reflection.He changed. He humbled himself. From then on, he became a good and wise king, beloved by his people.

Our lives and our business really are like a tire. It does go up and down, round and round. If we sometimes feel that we are stuck in a rut, that the wheel has not turned, we should ask ourselves if we have a flat. Then get up, do something about it, change ourselves and the tire. Business is like that, when we feel that we are stuck in a rut, we need to check why. Sometimes, we need to step back from the daily grind, introspect and reflect, identify the problem, search for the solution, then continue on

The great Indian statesman and leader, Mahatma Gandhi, once said, “Every worthwhile accomplishment, big or little, has its stages of drudgery and triumph; a beginning, a struggle and a victory “

Let’s follow the examples of these ordinary individuals as they strive to make a difference. Each week, let’s all get together and share knowledge, stories, experiences, information, all for the sole purpose of getting One Step Up.

For comments, suggestions or stories that you want to share, email me atstirspecialist@gmail.com , or visit www.stirspecialist.blogspot.com .