The Healing Work of Forgiveness with Bela Padilla
https://youtu.be/QCfIqY5TsG0?si=dQoZ6spj5u-KrKx5 In this episode of Moment to Moment, Coach Pia sits down with multi-talented actress, writer, and director Bela Padilla to discuss the concept of healing through forgiveness, intentionally living with courage, and the importance of making space for new beginnings. Key Takeaways: Reframing Forgiveness: Bela shares that forgiveness does not always have to be a loud, dramatic event or a major family meeting. It can be a quiet, everyday practice, which includes the simple act of forgiving yourself for small mistakes or for not achieving certain things in your current season of life [00:03:17]. Letting Go of Revenge: Growing up, Bela’s mother taught her never to seek revenge but to let God even the scales. This foundation allowed her to easily let go of anger and forgive people without ever needing to ask them for an apology or accountability [00:04:46]. The Physical Toll of Holding On: Keeping grudges and leaving feelings unaddressed can cause physical and emotional stagnation. Bela recalls a time living in London where unaddressed family tensions caused her to overthink, lose sleep, and even experience physical swelling, which only dissipated when she and her brother finally opened up to each other [00:08:49]. Making Room for New Stories: Forgiveness is essential because it allows you to close the chapter on old, painful stories and make space for new ones. After letting go of her hidden burdens, Bela and her brother were both able to find new hobbies, try new things, and experience a “second wind” in their lives [00:16:08]. Persistence and Reclaiming Dreams: Bela opened up about a 6 to 7-year journey of trying to land a role in the remake of her favorite Korean film, A Special Memory. Despite being turned down multiple times, she persistently threw her hat in the ring and ultimately secured the role, choosing to forgive the people who initially told her she couldn’t do it [00:18:23]. Intentional Courage: The pandemic served as a catalyst for Bela to step out of her comfort zone. Facing immense hurdles and changing restrictions, she flew to Turkey alone and directed her own film, pushing herself to practice intentional courage [00:23:42]. Finding Your Own Closure: When dealing with breakups or fallout, Bela believes that you do not need to wait for the other person to give you closure. You can create that closure internally and take back the vulnerability you initially exposed [00:33:56]. The “Labor” of Healing: Healing isn’t passive; it requires real effort and labor. Interestingly, Bela notes that she is actually much better at doing the deep, introspective work of healing on days when she is in a good mood, rather than when she is triggered or in a “fight or flight” response [00:34:41]. A Message to Her Younger Self: Looking back at her journey, Bela is incredibly proud of her younger self for entering the industry and carving out her own mold as a creator, actress, and director when no traditional template was handed to her [00:38:07].
Returning to Alignment When You Drift
https://youtu.be/a8xy9b_DhPw?si=CTwhUEp53e1Bcrad In this episode of Moment to Moment, Coach Pia is joined by Jolina Magdangal, often referred to as the Queen of Filipino Pop Culture, to discuss Day 18’s theme: returning to alignment when you drift. Together, they explore the importance of noticing when you’ve strayed from your true self and the grace required to find your way back. Key Takeaways: A Shift in Focus: Jolina reflects on how her priorities and alignment have shifted throughout her life. During her younger years in showbiz, her primary focus was on making her parents—especially her father, who was her manager—proud, and pleasing her audience [00:04:34]. Today, as a wife and mother, her decisions are deeply rooted in partnership with her husband, Mark, and leaving a positive legacy for her children [00:05:06]. The Courage to Individuate: Finding your own alignment often means breaking away from the expectations of your family of origin. Jolina shares that it wasn’t until she got married that she truly found the courage to set boundaries and establish her own path, a process she admits was incredibly difficult but necessary [00:09:25]. Trusting the Timing: Establishing independence and finding your alignment is a process that requires patience. Jolina emphasizes the importance of trusting your own timing and not rushing the process, as rushing often leads to confusion rather than clarity [00:11:11]. Reinvention from Within: When asked how she reinvents herself, Jolina explains that true reinvention happens internally. While she still enjoys expressing herself through vibrant fashion, the most profound changes—the reinvention of her character and how she treats others—originate from within [00:13:00]. Meeting Yourself with Grace: Drift happens to everyone, even when you think you have things figured out. Jolina recounts a recent experience of misplaced trust that caused her deep distress. With the support of her husband, she learned to view the experience not as a setback, but as an opportunity for growth and a reminder to give herself grace [00:15:28]. Embracing Disruption: Coach Pia explains the science behind our resistance to change, noting that the brain prefers the status quo. To grow and realign, we must invite disruption and challenge into our lives to build new neural pathways (neuroplasticity) [00:18:22]. The Power of Release: Finding clarity and returning to alignment is not an instantaneous process. Jolina advises taking the time to “himayin” (to strip or pull apart) your feelings, isolating the positive emotions, and slowly letting go of the burdens that weigh you down [00:26:42]. Noticing is the First Step: The simple act of noticing that you have drifted from your center is the most important step. That awareness alone is the beginning of the journey back home to yourself [00:29:00].
The Courage to Keep Choosing Yourself with Marvin Agustin
https://youtu.be/dLl9MeuNOfY?si=TKQkgOBodUPKhtKR In this episode of Moment to Moment, Coach Pia talks with former teen matinee idol turned chef and restaurateur Marvin Agustin. They explore the theme of Day 17: the courage to keep choosing yourself. Marvin candidly shares his journey from a childhood defined by struggle and hard work to his current success as a multifaceted entrepreneur. Key Takeaways: Choosing Yourself is a Responsibility: Marvin emphasizes that prioritizing your own needs is not selfish; rather, it is a necessary responsibility. He explains that if you do not learn to respect and choose yourself, you cannot effectively help others or be an inspiration to them [00:40:26]. By taking care of yourself, you are modeling positive behavior for those around you. The Power of Small Daily Choices: Courage and self-respect are not solely built on massive, life-altering decisions. Marvin argues that true character is built through small, everyday choices—such as deciding to wake up on time, sticking to a diet, or simply apologizing for being a few minutes late. These small acts of discipline are what truly build self-respect [00:33:19]. Wisdom Stems from Hardship: Marvin makes a clear distinction between intelligence gained from books and true wisdom. He believes that wisdom is earned by facing and overcoming life’s struggles and failures. For Marvin, the messy, difficult parts of his past are the real source of his clarity and strength, rather than a formal education or memorized quotes [00:29:40]. Controlling Your Response: While we cannot always control the challenging situations life throws at us, Marvin stresses that we have complete control over our response to those situations. By consciously choosing a positive or constructive response, we can drastically alter the outcome of an otherwise negative event [00:21:12]. Finding Comfort in Silence: Marvin, a self-proclaimed introvert, shares that he cherishes his alone time. He believes that silence and solitude are crucial for honest self-reflection, as they remove external noise and distractions, allowing you to truly listen to your own voice and get to know yourself better [00:24:24]. Courage Follows Action: Perhaps his most powerful insight is that courage does not precede action; it is born from it. Marvin explains that you cannot wait to feel brave before taking a step. True courage emerges when you decide to act despite your fears, even if that action is as simple as getting out of bed or putting on your shoes [00:51:24].
