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I am a True Blue Atenean and ever since, Ateneo has been teaching the spirit of Magis. I would like to believe that Ateneo has instilled this in me. With this, I do not think I would forget Magis and the other values Ateneo has instilled in me.

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The picture inspires me to practice Magis or choosing to do the more loving option because it really highlights compassion and love. Given the privilege to help others, we must remember to stand with our community and do our best to lend a helping hand instead of marginalizing and silencing others. We must foster mutual love, growth, and healing among the community in order to rise up against any challenge that we may face.

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I think the best way to describe what I see in this photo is impact. That is to say what inspires me to practice the spirit of Magis, is the desire to have an impact on the world around me, to be considered more than the sum of my parts, and to feel like I have made a genuine difference with the life I have.

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The sunrise is symbolic of new tomorrows, new experiences, new chances, and new hopes. With all the novelty that the world can offer us, I should always keep in mind that I am not the only one who deserves new hopes and chances. It inspires me to be a steward that will spread the kind of love that grants people the chance to start anew or to continue unraveling more of what they love doing; in a sense, it reminds me that we are all capable of giving a kind of love that keeps on giving.

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This picture inspires me to practice the spirit of Magis because of how healing, honest, and pure children are in their way of expressing emotions, which can reflect what kind of society they are raised in. In order to allow children and the future generations to continue feeling a sense of security and content, everyone must strive to practice the spirit of Magis through selflessness in their actions in order to create a more compassionate society.

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This is a photo from one of my favorite books called Hope for the Flowers. The story, represented by this picture inspires me to practice the spirit of Magis because it reminds me that it is through our choices to transform, to be better, and to do the loving option that there is hope for "the flowers" - hope for the other. When I am reminded that my life is not just my own, I become inspired to do better, realizing that I have the capability to do my part in the world, and lovingly at that.

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I am inspired to practice Magis or to choose the more loving option whenever I see people come together to help one another. It would be great to be part of a community that cares and supports each other so that no one is left behind or suffers. I recognize that each and every one of us can play a role in our society and our environment a better place to live in. And a great way to achieve this is by choosing the more loving option.

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This image represents Magis to me because individuals work together and choose the more loving option for others in order to create a more vibrant and brighter community. The true spirit of Magis is selfless, abandoning selfish desires in order to achieve what is more loving. Furthermore, the true spirit of Magis is a constant practice that encourages people to choose the more loving option.

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This picture of a plant inspires me to practice the spirit of Magis as the numerous decisions I make contribute to my own growth and help me become a better and more loving person in general. Us humans can be attributed to plants as we are all distinct from one another and we constantly try to grow and become better versions of ourselves. We do this in order to have a bigger impact towards others through inspiring them, and giving them constant and loving service.

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This is the 17-year-old me; he was in a rough, confusing place. He reminds me of all the instances where I have not chosen the more loving option—something I kept doing for quite a long time. Eventually, I learned that if I hope to devote myself to causes larger than my own interests, I have to choose the more loving choice, and I have found that this usually begins with forgiving myself.

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Practicing the spirit of Magis, for me, is like planting seeds. When we choose to become a more loving person, and in turn choose the more loving option, we create a metaphorical chain of love and kindness that the people we've interacted with spread to the other people around them. By doing this, we plant seeds of love that have the potential to grow into bigger plants, which then have the ability to produce their own seeds.

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Magis to me is "choosing the more compassionate path." I chose a crossroad because we make decisions everyday and the most compassionate path is not always the easiest to choose.

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For me, choosing the more loving option is similar to raising a tree sapling. For it to reach its full growth/potential, it first needs constant care to overcome the difficulties of its current vulnerable state. To practice Magis, I have to keep in mind that everyone (myself included) is this sapling. We all need to be treated with love and care as we are all vulnerable to the various challenges we face.

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AREA will always be a reminder for me to practice the spirit of MAGIS. It's the organization that I have dedicated three years of my college journey to. It was founded to serve the community of BS REnt students, a course that is still finding it's feet in the university. AREA in the spirit of magis will always be there for the REnt student and as it's founder so will I

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This picture of children inspires me to practice the spirit of Magis. Children, the future generation, remind me that I should always choose the more loving option so that I can help make the world a better place for them to live in.

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This photo of ascending steps inspires me to practice the spirit of Magis as it implies growth is coming with every step you take. Whatever experience we encounter, we must always keep in mind that there is always a lesson to be learned and it is all part of God’s wonderful plan, therefore, we remind ourselves to do all things for the glory of God and find ways to create value to the lives of others.

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When I see this picture, I am reminded of a new tomorrow wherein I am given another chance. I am blessed enough to be alive and I should take that opportunity to keep going and reach greater heights. Magis to me means striving for excellence.

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This picture inspires me to practice Magis for there are a lot of people who are in dire need of help for survival. It strongly depicts how team work can overcome heavy problems and achieve greater things. At present, the gap between the wealthy and poor has been extended farther than it has been before. All the more, I am called to help my fellow brothers and sisters with their life struggles.

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This image, for me, represents the very essence of Magis which is discerning the greater good and choosing the more loving option. Of course, this path that we take is almost always outside of our comfort zone - it is a hard path to walk on, just like the image above. Glorifying and serving God is never easy, yet it is a road I have chosen to undertake.

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A picture of a caterpillar turning to a butterfly would best inspire me to practice the spirit of Magis. Because it will always remind me that it will not always be a beautiful and easy path to choose the more loving option. It may take time to happen but at the end it would spread the beautiful wings of Magis.

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This is the Notre Dame Cathedral that was caught on fire last 2019. Shortly after the news broke out, large sums of money from the rich community were raised for the rehabilitation of the establishment, and it made me wonder how easy they gave money for this Cathedral in a short span of time, but find it more difficult to donate money for poverty and other issues that concerns people. This particular incident was my turning point from dreaming to be a businessperson for the money, to be one for people instead (choosing the more loving option).

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This is a picture that I come back to whenever I need to be reminded of why I work hard to do the things that I do. It's a reminder that my life isn't just about me, that there are people who want me to be as loving and as happy as I could be, in whatever form that may take.

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Magis for me is to be able to risk your comfort, your resources, your time, and your efforts in order to help others and reach out to others. It's true that sometimes helping others may slow you down, but what's the point in being on top of a mountain alone? Choosing the more loving and compassionate decision is being able to do more for yourself and others in the end, and it pleases the Lord as well.

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This photo reminds me of Magis as it shows me that doing things for others may not be the easiest thing to do and it may not even be the choice that others might make. There may be struggles and some ups and downs but ultimately, by choosing the path you deem as right, you will arrive at the destination you desire.

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In a time of a pandemic, frontliners serve as a constant reminder of what Magis is. I think that everyday, they choose the more loving option by risking their lives in order to save the lives of others. It inspires me to choose the more compassionate and loving option, not just for myself, but for the greater good of my community.

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Nature, which is selfless and giving, has always reminded me of the way of life that God intended for all – peaceful, harmonious, and beautiful. Afterall, the very essence of being human, as part of His creation, is to be humane.

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An image of mountains will always remind and inspire me to practice the spirit of Magis. Inspired by my go-to song whenever times get more difficult, Diana Ross’s Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, I just get reminded that there’s really no tough boundary in anything we set our mind to, and whatever boundary that is, the loving option is never impossible.

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This photo inspires me to practice Magis because it reminds me that we, individuals, are not actually separate from each other. The relationships we have with our family, friends, loved ones and community, no matter how big or small can make a significant impact on our lives and how future generations will come to be. We are all God's children so we are all the same, and each of us must work for His greater glory, to love His creations and take care of each other.

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During the pandemic, I think that the image of a cactus will serve as a reminder for me to practice the spirit of Magis. In this photo, the cactus stands in the middle of the desert as the sole plant that bears fruit for travelers that need it. In this world full of negativity and despair, the cactus serves as a reminder that it is still possible to love amidst the hatred, heal amidst the wounded, and become a person for others.

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The asynchronous session has reminded me of the story, The Giving Tree. 

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In the story, the tree selflessly gives up everything it has to ensure that the boy is well. The tree has always been likened to Godself and the boy as His children, but, today, I saw the tree as someone I should embody as the tree gives all that it has to the one in need. As I am asked to practice magis by extending love more, I hope that at the end I would also be able to achieve the same as the tree - pure happiness.

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I associate this picture with two things I want from life, happiness and success. Being MAGIS, to me, is finding a way to combine the two of these goals while living a life that helps others and gives them a chance to achieve the same. Having something as simple as this picture to remind me of the concepts behind MAGIS help greatly in reminding me to apply it in the things that I do.

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The pictures of my past encourage me to move forward with the spirit of MAGIS. They allow me to reminisce the times where I had known close to nothing about the world, and compare it to what I know now. Yet, even as I have grown intellectually and emotionally, this picture reminds me of my innocence in the value that I hold for the simpler things in life - family and love.

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I strongly believe there would be nothing more MAGIS than the love that a mother has for their children. My mom's love for me and my siblings and for the rest of the people she knows really goes beyond what is required of her, shown by her dedication of giving time and service by being there for them. It takes so much commitment to be a responsible mother itself, but it is truly MAGIS when you raise someone with so much love and care.

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I'm reminded of Magis when I'm with nature because of its "ever-giving" characteristic as well as its ability to reduce my fear and stress which moves me to have a bit more clarity and even wisdom. I'm inspired to patiently grow, bloom, and fall in love with the process and not just the end-destination of where and who I want to be.

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Seeing this familiar view always takes me back to my experiences in the Ateneo that have been constant reminders of the importance of practicing the spirit of Magis. When I took this photo a few years ago I simply thought that it looked nice and calming, but now I think it helps remind me of how I can do more and be more by embodying the things I've learned along the way.

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This is MrBeast and his friends planting their first tree. To give context, MrBeast is a very popular youtuber known for his selflessness and generosity, with his videos always centering around giving away money or helping a cause he believes in. This little tree was the catalyst of his project to plant 20 million trees, which was subsequently named "Team trees". MrBeast is someone who inspires me to practice Magis as his capacity to love his fellow humans is amazing. Not only does he help so many people financially, but he also inspires so many, including me. Because of him, I now truly believe that giving is the best way to make yourself whole.

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Whenever I struggle making decisions in life, it has been a habit of mine to visit The Church of the Gesu and ask God for an answer. And no matter what situation I am in, even though it's a tough option, I tend to always go for what would make me grow as a person. Even before entering Loyola Schools, I wanted to be honed the Ateneo way, and that is by living up to the spirit of Magis. That's why if I were asked what photo best represents Magis, I would be showing them this photo in Ateneo.

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I remember reading a quote by Mahatma Ghandi, "You must not lose faith in Humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty." This reminds me that there is always something more and good to what we are seeing and experiencing now. Thus, we must not lose hope and continue to love and seek for things that will bring light to anyone and anything that is in the dark.

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Family. Whenever I think of my family, I am always pushed to do more and be a better in everything I do. With all the sacrifices that my parents have done for me and my siblings, becoming a better person is just my way of giving back and showing my love for them.

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Basking before nature brings me immense tranquility—one that reminds me of the beauty in loving others, in hoping for a world without chaos. Though peace and goodness seem distant, the world can still be a better place if we choose to walk in love.

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Friends. The people in my life have taught me how to be kinder and loving to the people that are around me. It is in their kindness that I grow and in receiving their love that I am able to give love to others and to myself. My friends have taught me that there is much love to give to the people around us, in words, in actions, in service.

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The concept of Magis reminds us to be more. Whether it's being more loving, more understanding, more compassionate, more forgiving, and the like, we are reminded that we co-exist with other beings and we are encouraged to practice this spirit of Magis with them in order to foster a holistic life filled with love & compassion. Thus, this could be practiced through great means such as doing acts of charity or simpler means such as listening to a friend, hence, the loving image above.

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Back when classes were on campus, I used to do a consciousness examen every Friday at the Gesu. It has always been a place for me to reflect on my decisions and talk to God about how my actions have led towards or away from being loving and understanding. The image of Gesu reminds me to always think about my decisions and actions - to always ask "is this the more loving option?"

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The habit of taking cold showers every morning has been a game-changer for me. Other people view it as a difficult task where it may seem uncomfortable when we compare it to the alternative of relaxing hot showers. For me, the idea of Magis can be witnessed through being comfortable in uncomfortable situations — we learn to adapt and become versatile with whatever life throws at us, and, at the same time, we don't close out other options that are new and unfamiliar.

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When I think of Magis, I can easily think of my comfort zone, which is the ocean, because of its vastness, strength, and mystery; yet it can also be a balance between life and death. In life, there are a lot of challenges that one has to face in order to reach the ultimate goal of Magis. As a swimmer, I can tell you that its training regimen can be quite gruesome. You keep swimming thousands of kilometers in order to improve yourself (body and mind) for the next competition. Thinking of this makes you wanna give up, but going back into the depths and the unknown day after day is what would truly keeps the spirit of Magis alive. It is this unknown entity that inspires me to dive deep to know more and discover how would this information would change society, for better or for worse.

Just like in my life, if I have never shifted out and tried out this course that I'm in today, I would have never discovered my other passion that became a stepping stone to do more for this world. In a swimmer's metaphor, dive in and explore the unknown. you may never truly experience life until you dive deep.

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Magis, for me, is something I learned while studying here in the Ateneo. It is about choosing the loving option, and I learned that sometimes that option is also choosing myself. I would go to the Church of the Gesu and reflect on my decisions and what my goals are for the day or the week. Going here would also be a quiet break when everything becomes too fast paced. Since we are working in an online setting, sometimes I forget to choose myself and to take a break. With that, I am reminded to practice Magis by looking at this photo I took back during one of my visits to the Gesu.

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Being here with God reminds me to practice the spirit of magis. As I seek magis in my everyday experiences, I have come to realize that I am also seeking the greater glory of God. Being with God and spending time with Him allows me to reflect and discern the choices that I make or will make thus guiding me as I choose the more loving options.

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This photo reminds and inspires me to practice the spirit of Magis due to the fact that no matter who you are I believe that everyone we meet in our lives has its own purpose as we are all blessed to be born into this world in order to make an impact no matter how small it may be. We are all given the chance to live as well as to make an impact on the world or on someone's life.

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The overarching concept of Magis can be likened to the "domino effect." If you push the first domino it sets off a chain reaction and the rest of them fall down too. Acts of kindness are like that. When you are kind to one person, they really do carry your good act forwards. This inspires me to practice Magis because one push or one action fueled with kindness can lead to an unlimited impact.

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This image reminds me of Magis as it calls to the cultivation of talents to lead up to something greater. Our talents and abilities can allow us to grow but more importantly our efforts can extend to helping others in the future. The plant is a reminder for me that Magis is a labor of selfless love that allows everyone to grow.

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This photo reminds me of what Magis is to me; looking within to figure out how I can change myself to bring more good into the world. It is a reminder that there will always be room for improvement within myself, and I should constantly be working to achieve that.

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I hate waking up in the morning. It's tempting to just press snooze and stay asleep for a little longer, just until I'm ready to start my day. But from that very moment, I already have the opportunity to help my mom around the house, to take care of my body by having breakfast, to clean up after my busier siblings that have classes to go to, or even to help myself in the long run by getting work done. It's a very small decision to just get up when I need to, but I will be reminded everyday that there must be enough love for myself and the people around me to push myself to be uncomfortable for a little while to be able to make a difference.

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This photo depicts Magis to me because it reminds me of service of our fellow man and learning to love the people and communities around us that we usually turn a blind eye towards. It focuses mostly on choosing the more loving option because it's easy to overlook our fellow people and simply chase only after our personal goals and individual satisfaction but the active decision to serve and be there to protect the humanity of others is definitely the more loving option. It's also a reminder for myself on why Magis is something that grounds me and why service is something I keep coming back to because it creates value and significance to others which is worth more than any personal gain.

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Having my little bro in my life changed the way I viewed myself and my life goals. More and more I find myself re-thinking how I think, act, and strive to do good in a way that makes me a better role model for him in his life. More than that, it also made me realize how I can better think of others and to be more open and loving as both a student and a kuya - "what if that person was my little bro? What would I do?"

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Working out is an activity that requires the desire, willpower, and perseverance to acquire a healthy body. This activity would remind me to practice Magis as choosing the loving option is a choice that comes time and time again, sometimes being more difficult than expected. Nevertheless, if I continue to uphold Magis, the satisfaction of choosing the more loving option would be akin to the feeling of finishing a workout and in the end, I would be a person that I can be proud of. It may be difficult and painful at times but definitely worth it.

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I've always had a profound love for butterflies and I've associated a great deal of my character with these insects. For me, butterflies symbolize what it means to be "magis." they remind me that amid the difficulty one may experience, it is important to choose to fly above adversity and choose one's own path knowing that the end will always be worthwhile.

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This photo inspires me to practice MAGIS because it reminds of the joys of being with a great group of friends, as meaningful bonds make life more worthwhile for me. A group that I can trust and rely on, no matter what. However, authentic and genuine connections require you to become vulnerable, transparent, understanding, and forgiving. That is why we have to remember MAGIS, even if they may disappoint or upset you sometimes, at the end of the day we must always choose the more loving option - not just for them but for ourselves as well.

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The concept of a family inspires me to always practice Magis or choose to do the more loving option. My definition of a family is not limited to relation by blood but instead includes those we consider brothers and sisters. It highlights how everyone in that group cares for one another and how everyone always considers how their actions could affect the person next to them whether these may yield positive or negative effects.  When we always stop and care, we will notice how big of a difference we have made in the lives of the people around us

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I think an aspect to practicing Magis is rooted in building deep-rooted relationships with other people. In order to build these relationships, one must first have genuine curiosity to get to know other person. The picture shows a group of friends smiling and bonding. Being with the people you love, and extending that love by showing love to others present the power Magis has on cultivating a more inclusive and empathetic society.

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I have listened to songs that have moved me, to say the least. After listening to these songs, I feel like I can do anything and be anything, but more so do what I need to do in this world. I feel that listening to these inspirational or well-composed songs will inspire me to practice Magis, to choose the loving option.

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Seeing street children happy inspires me to practice Magis. It warms my heart to think that they can still smile despite the unfortunate situation they're in. They always remind me that I am privileged enough to serve those in need.

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The image I have chosen inspires me to practice MAGIS because it reminds me that we are never alone. We live in a world where we are surrounded by families, friends, co-workers, and more, and our job is to create authentic relationships with them. Through these genuine relationships, we can practice MAGIS with them. How? It can be as simple as showing love to others. This picture represents the things we can accomplish if we cooperate. By working as a team, we could find ways to alleviate poverty or even create a loving community that takes care of one another. I genuinely believe we can make a difference in this world, whether it be a slight difference or a big difference.

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This photo reminds me that sharing love with others has a ripple effect to whoever receives it. No matter how small that action may be, the love that it spreads is impactful for everyone around it.

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Humanity has always been my greatest reminder to practice the spirit of Magis. Amidst today's chaos, it has become all the more important for us to be more loving and compassionate towards others. Every individual carries joys, burdens, and stories we might never be able to fully comprehend. Keeping this in mind allows me to better practice empathy, kindness, and compassion towards whomever I face.

Image Source: https://www.worldphoto.org/blogs/17-04-20/friday-feeling-uplifting-images-humanity

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Helping others will be my biggest reminder to practice the spirit of Magis as it is a literal example of how we can be a person for others. I chose a picture of a small scale way of helping people because I believe that the small things add up, and we don't have to create huge gestures or acts to be a person for others, but rather doing the small things in our everyday lives makes just as much an impact.

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To give more and to do more. Magis for me is to go beyond ourselves; to be selfless. It is taking that extra mile to let others feel that they are important as much as we give importance to ourselves. After all, we exist as one with others and we are called to spread that love and compassion as we journey towards attaining an end where a new beginning starts.

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My family and friends are my inspiration and reason for me to practice Magis. For one thing, I always believed in doing my best and putting my best foot forward so I can make my friends and family happy and proud for me. But seeing my friends be passionate about their advocacies, accomplish their goals, and grow as people also inspire me to grow as well and do my best in every capacity.

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This photo was taken during my BINHI interaction in my first year. 

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I have always associated the term Magis to the Jesuit Education I receive in Ateneo and I believe the Ateneo is able to provide its students with many opportunities to not only learn and understand magis but to embody it as well. The NSTP, BINHI and other OSCI programs help us learn magis for ourselves and further cultivate the spirit of magis and ingrain in within us as we experience the different activities.  Thus, whenever I look at this photo, I am reminded of my experience and am motivated to continue to maximize the opportunities the school provides for me to further embody magis in all that I do.

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Through activism, I am always pushed to embody the spirit of Magis. I am always challenged to know the roots of oppression and immerse with the exploited masses. In the struggle, nothing is ever enough until true freedom has been achieved. Just as they say, "why despair, when we can struggle?".

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This, for me, encapsulates the meaning of magis; to choose love above all. Through the many trials in life that each of us face everyday, we must keep, in the back of our minds, a constant reminder to love each other as we cannot walk through life alone.

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Recognizing that the best way to live our lives is to seek deep connections, form lasting relationships or to simply understand the world around us, we are given an opportunity to show love, compassion, and practice the spirit of Magis through our actions. As we become more open minded and willing to learn about other perspectives and cultures, we are able to embrace diversity, welcome new experiences and become more compassionate individuals. Seeking to enrich my relationship with others and the world inspires me to practice the spirit of Magis— live out my desire to create positive impact in the lives of every person I get the chance to share a part of my life with.

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Stop lights or traffic lights best remind me to practice the spirit of Magis because it not only encourages you to go but to pause as well. It gives you a certain time period to stop and think, instead of simply going ahead mindlessly or blindly. To practice magis, I believe that it is important to make our decisions thoroughly and not on impulse and learning to pause and reflect, especially with how fast-paced society has become.

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To me, our frontliners are the very definition of Magis. They work night and day to keep their country safe, despite the extremely lackluster working conditions, being underappreciated, and being unfairly compensated for their monumental efforts. They carry on loving and caring for people despite that. It is quite awe-inspiring.

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In this fast-paced world, the majority strives for their achievements in pursuit of chasing their dreams. However, we also need to keep in mind that we should bring others up too so that everyone can have the opportunity to grow. With this, a racetrack would remind me to practice magis. Oftentimes, we are tempted to use the shortcut route since it’s the most convenient and easiest path to reach your end goal. Thus, the racetrack would remind me that it’s okay to take the more difficult route because although it may take longer, it will be fulfilling because you were able to do more by reaching out and accompanying them as you go through hurdles towards the finish line (end goal). Magis is not all about doing more to be the best, but by doing more as a loving person with thoughtful action and mind for others.

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The ocean is vast and deep, and not all of it has been (and maybe even cannot be) explored, just like our own world today. We are small in this enormous world, and while our actions may be miniscule in comparison, it can still reach far, and by choosing to do the loving option, we can make big differences in people and continue to reach further in this vast world. I am inspired to make that small decision to continue to explore and to do so with Magis, hoping to reach further and to find and share love with others.

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Cats are known for being subtle creatures they may not openly flaunt their affection like other pets but they show it in the most mundane way. I feel moved by this photo of a cat grooming her kitten because it inspires me to lend my gifts to those who are in need through the little and mundane ways. A mother cat always ensures that her kitten will always be in a good condition and that kind of love encourages me to do the same and be a more loving person for others regardless of who they are.

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This photo I saw online reminds me of the spirit of magis because of how selfless the man was. He did not hesitate to give his own slippers to the poor person who needed it more than him. A simple act like this already shows how we can choose the more loving option in our daily lives.

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"Magbigay ayon sa kakayahan, kumuha batay sa pangangailangan." Ever since community pantries started popping up in different towns across the country, it tells me that the spirit of Magis is still burning strong in society. It not only supplies people with the some of the basic necessities they need to survive (especially during these trying times), but it also teaches society to choose the more loving option which is to help others when given the chance. Seeing it makes me think that we all have the ability to become more loving people and that our world would be better if everyone practiced this kind of thinking.

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This picture will best remind and inspire me to practice the spirit of Magis. Jesus is the perfect example of what Magis is. He showed us how to be more loving and how to choose the more loving option. Seeing this picture will remind me to look at Christ, and fix my eyes on Him. There may be hardships in this world, choosing to practice the spirit of Magis may be difficult a lot of times but this picture reminds me that the sun will shine again, Jesus is here in my heart, He has risen. I hope to extend the love He has shown and given me to others.

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I believe that Magis, in its own right, also dwells on finding peace in one's self even during a very strange time in our lives. When I look up into the sky it reminds me of serenity and calmness amidst what goes on in my life because Magis also involves being calm and still because no matter what goes on in the world, the sky continues to move, it continues to rotate. Similarly, we need to find the peace in us that would allow us to keep on going to better serve ourselves and more importantly others.

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A couple of years back when I first heard of the term magis, I didn't fully understand what it meant. Then, I had the misconception that it simply meant choosing to do more and pushing yourself beyond what you're used to. And all along I was under the impression that it meant working to be more as a means to gain personal glory -- being more proactive, being excellent in class, having a lot of org involvement, and such. But apparently, magis is way more than that: magis is not doing more for yourself but doing more by choosing the more loving option -- for others and for Christ. For this reason, I find that it is this photo that reminds of magis -- people who appear to be coming together to love and support each other. A photo that inspires unity and a common goal of lifting each other up. I believe looking at this will constantly remind me of what the true essence of magis is and, in turn, inspire me to reflect it in the choices I make every day.

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The scene in 1492: Conquest of Paradise in which Columbus rallies the people to build a church and raise the bell has always been inspiring to me. It perfectly encapsulates magis or more in that everyone should strive to make structures or foster relationships that last forever (or at least a really long time). These structures and relationships should then transcend the material or what is immediately present for only in that transcendence can permanence and eternal love be achieved.

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This photo reminds me of those who are struggling and need help. Magis often means that we have to make a concious effort to notice when people need help. Some need others to break down barriers and Magis means having the initiative to do that and more.

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The person who inspires me the most to practice Magis is my Mom, because I remember when she told me as a child that she would stop working in her office because she wants to take care of me and my siblings. I was already seven years old at the time, so I did not need her at home as much as a dependent infant would, and yet she still chose to be with me because she wanted to be able to be close as I grew up, even if it was at the expense of leaving her work and friends. Choosing the most loving option and going beyond what is expected of me is inspired by how my Mom placed me as more important than any career she could have, and I want to be able to make the most loving decisions for myself and for others.

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This photo reminds me of the idea that there are always those who are loving and caring, no matter the circumstance. It reminds me to choose the more helpful and loving response and choices in life.

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Because of growing up in a culture that puts much value in the concept of family, my family inspires me to choose the more loving option. Given family's role in our upbringing, where most of our values our taught, being more loving and caring towards ourselves and towards others becomes somewhat of an application of those values we were taught, in which we treat everyone like family.

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From my recent engagements from NSTP class, I have realized how our small actions affect a person. It may be small to me but it is big for someone else. This reminds me to practice magis, because once we touch someone's heart, its like hugging God whom I've made proud of. It is really a challenge to open up to others, but the outcome is amazing and the feeling can really can spread through the community.

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When Typhoon Ulysses hit the Philippines one of the cities greatly affected was Marikina City. Several people lost their homes to the floods and with everything that had happened during the pandemic the people in Marikina had literally lost it all. With this, my friends and I arranged a relief operation wherein we donated gallons of water, food packages, and clothes to poor communities in Marikina City. I am beyond grateful to have surrounded myself with a group of friends who practice the spirit of Magis. They continue to inspire me to be the most loving version that I can possibly be.

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Back in 2018, I used to run a small business back in with one of my best friends called Meliora Cebu. Meliora means in pursuit of better, and we sold reusable utensils and straws, shampoo and conditioner bars, burrito pouches, and bamboo cotton buds. The photo above are the community of mothers (and their children) from Banawa, Cebu, and they were the ones who crafted our burrito pouches. We tried to support them through selling the pouches for their extra income. While my friend and I were not masters at starting a business, the whole idea of trying to partner and support a community is definitely something that will always remind me to do something more for others in every endeavor I take on. This photo also reminds me that many communities are in need of assistance in some way and one must just reach out and be open to collaborating with them (not just imposing a solution, but co-creating one with them).

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The WHO organization is growing increasingly concerned of number of COVID infection rates among health workers. However, Philippine health frontliners still continue to serve their fellows through working together with the vaccination efforts despite the risks of being a frontliner.

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I always think to myself that are we only going to do good or more when we or someone we know are close to death? This is what reminds me of Magis, do more or choose the more loving options because in reality we also don't know our chances of when our time comes.

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This photo was taken when me and my friends visited and taught orphaned children back in 2018. Looking back at it now, we were a little inexperienced with teaching however the children were still enthusiastic and receptive to us. Every time a child started telling stories and being comfortable to act like themselves, it made me happy to see that we were able to give them a safe space even for a short amount of time. I always had a difficult time interacting with children, however after this experience and seeing these children's desire to learn and have fun, I want to say I've become more understanding of children and their perspective. This photo reminds me that I have the opportunity to create safe spaces not only for children but for others as well. Magis is in continuing to choose to be compassionate and loving to others despite of hardships.

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We all need a bit of help in life sometimes, that's unavoidable. Magis is doing more than just helping the person, but making sure they can be the best they can be. When someone needs a meal, give them a place to stay. Do more, as they say.

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This photo features a sticker I always see on my wall every morning. It inspires me to practice the spirit of Magis because for me, choosing to love learning more means I become a more loving person who is willing to be more open-minded, understanding, and compassionate towards other people. This is because I noticed all throughout my life that the bad actions people tend to do, such as discrimination (e.g. racism, sexism, etc.), usually come from fear, ignorance, and most importantly a lack of willingness to learn and understand things outside of their comfort zones.

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I always remember how "self" may be a distinct identity that sets us apart from others but my “self” is not a static phenomenon, my “self” continues to develop throughout my life with and for others. That as beings in a shared community, I can choose and decide for myself but always in consideration of the "other." After all, life is not solitary, I shall live it for myself but for others as well (and God ♥).