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Music has been one of the best methods of conveying such emotions and making people understand such messages. Music will help in reminding me that I can use it to spread and share happiness with other people who may be feeling a bad day. In addition, I want to let people know that music could strengthen the sense of belonging and connection with others and boost people's physical and emotional health, especially now when people are afraid of what is happening in this world.

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An image of a hug will best remind and/or inspire me to practice the spirit of Magis of choosing to be a more loving person and selecting the more loving options. This is because I have always viewed hugs as one of the most appropriate and genuine--if not the most--physical manifestations of love that everyone can do. For me, it also signifies that a small action like a hug can go a long way in fostering positivity and love among people.

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Seeing the realities faced by the world inspires me to practice the spirit Magis. As someone who hopes to minimize food waste and improve food distribution, I hope to practice Magis through this initiative. I think social injustices as such calls for people like me to bring out a more loving option to everyone.

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One of the running jokes I find on the Internet is that Asian parents express their love language through food, and I think my mother is no different as she brings me a plate full of apples while I agonize over procrastinating my requirements. It may be such a simple, mundane thing, but an image of sliced fruit/apples is so meaningful to me because it means that someone has noticed that I am going through something and is putting the love, care, and effort behind slicing up a fruit that could be eaten whole in response to this distress. It is this care and effort that keeps me inspired to keep myself present and aware of others and how they are feeling, and reminds me to always go the extra mile to be more loving towards them and practice the spirit of Magis.

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These days, because of all the things that we're dealing with personally, it's so much easier to be caught up in our own lives. In this context, receiving and sending a 'how are you' text is one of the ways that I remind myself to practice Magis. I know it takes a lot of energy sometimes to step outside our own worlds to reply to this message and even more so to send it but in very isolating times, one of the more loving options we can take is to choose community anyway despite the difficulty. 💙

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Throughout this pandemic I find myself extremely lucky to have had my family here since the start as one of my biggest support systems. Despite this, sometimes I feel that I am unable to give back the same love and support they have given me due to my busy schedule whilst trying to balance both academic and org work to the point that sometimes the stress can get to me and I forget to treat them with love, patience, and kindness. Going through this module I am reminded to always choose the more loving option by making and spending quality time with my family, being there for them when they too are going through their own struggles, and showing my love for them through both actions and deeds.

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For me, the most important part of practising the spirit of Magis is convincing myself that the loving option CAN be pursued. I would be most inspired to live by Magis not through a reminder of why I must, but by a reminder that I have what it takes to do so.

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Cooking for others was always the expression of love for my grandma. She would always go out of her way to cook for visitors and workers in our family business. You could always feel that love in the warmth of soup or a spoonful of stew. To put it simply, whoever you are, you deserve to eat good food, you deserve to be loved. Cooking for people is just one of many ways we can do more for others. This could also be done through giving up your seat for the elderly. This could also be done by being appreciative of security guards and maintenance workers in the university. Magis isn't always something big or extravagant.

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Noise is a reality we live through today and amidst that noise, it is easy to feel alone, unheard, and unimportant. This is why the image and act of active listening is a reminder and inspiration for me to practice Magis, to be a more loving person and to choose the more loving option. A lot of conflicts and misunderstanding happen because we are inclined to hear but not listen or to listen only to what we want to listen to but I think that if we strive to actively listen to others, the act of loving will not be so out of reach.

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Amidst the pandemic, the lack of presence has left us feeling isolated and lonely with our thoughts. These thoughts often pile up inside us, and because of this, we are left unmotivated, insecure, and hopeless. In my past experiences, I’ve seen how much being physically or mentally present can easily change someone’s mood and make their day! Thus, one of the ways I remind myself to practice Magis is to be “present”— whether it be through face-to-face interaction or online zoom calls. There are a lot of people who just need someone to talk to, or need someone to listen to them, and being fully present at that time and place can help them more than we think :)

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(Attached is an actual iMessage I got from a friend)

You know those text messages you get in the middle of the day, out of the blue, wherein someone sends you something simply because you crossed their mind or something reminded them of you? Those moments always give me this warm feeling that despite how small the action is, having someone think of you and act upon it, letting you know that you’re in their thoughts is something I find really kind. Similar to Gill Ang, such instances invite me to be more thoughtful and loving as well, not to mention intentional whether it’s checking in on friends and family, taking the time to ask about someone’s day and genuinely listen to their response, or letting someone know that they’re in your thoughts and you care for them

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Magis is to be a woman for others. Truthfully, there are times I am unable to be there for others, even those close to me. It may be because I get too busy, other times it is because I don't know how to be there for them. To me, when I think of comforting people, that means saying the right things and giving them the right advice. As such, when I don't know what to say, I become more hesitant to help. The outstretched hand reminds me that the simplest way to be a woman for others, to comfort others, isn't even to give them advice, but even showing up and being there for them during the tough times.

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I think food really symbolizes love, whether it be cooking the food for a loved one or sharing it with them because the time and effort placed into preparing the food or setting aside time to eat with them shows how much they matter to you. My love language is cooking for others or eating with them, whether it be in silence because we are too hungry or in loud chatter. Them being full of food is like them accepting and being full of my love.

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My mom inspires me to choose the more loving option. I've come to make several wrong/ bad decisions over the course of my life like getting scammed online and getting caught for not turning on my headlights while driving at night. Despite these moments being valid times for her to act up, berate me, and talk about how careless I am, she never once shouted at me about them but rather helped me go through them with grace; to acknowledge that these things do happen and to instead view them as learning experiences.

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Most of us can get caught up in the work we do. While it is good to see we are making progress to our next I believe that life is more than just going from one goal post to another. I practice Magis not just as a reminder to do more but to also remind myself that I need to stop once in a while. In the hectic rush of life many of us forget to sit back and enjoy the view. Love for others usually begins with the self and as such it's important for us to care for ourselves every so often.

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Since the late months of 2021, I have been reading a lot of newsletters written by people in my friend circles on the internet. These people are not necessarily trained writers, just people who have a lot of thoughts on humanity and the arts that they want to share with others. They cite poetry a lot and often talk about the little things in life: their favorite food, the tea they made after a particularly bad day, a new song that made their week, a poem that made them want to reach out to people and remind them to do good. These newsletters are not only comforting to read, but they also inspire me to practice Magis. It's been difficult seeing the good things in life ever since the pandemic happened, and these sorts of things have helped ground me in gratitude and made me look towards myself and what the loving option means for me.

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Aside from my family, my friends are a huge part of my support system. This picture reminds me of the spirit of Magis because it shows that we can be a source of love and strength for other people, especially when they need someone to lean on the most. A simple text message can make a huge difference in a person’s day, and we can extend and show our love to others by simply reaching out.

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This is part of an email I sent my best friend a few months ago. I don’t think magis has to be a grandstanding show of love and social commitment (though it is equally valid). Sometimes it’s as easy as reminding your friends that you love and care for them. My friend and I don’t contact each other as we did before, but we continue to choose each other. I find comfort in knowing that regardless of the circumstances, we know we’re there for each other. There’s no greater kindness than being present for those around you.

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I am always moved by seeing photos of our farmers/fisherfolk/common workers smiling with the fruits of their hard labor. It is because of this that I want to somewhat focus my "work" to helping their communities rise up. I believe that the most loving option is to be with those who need love the most.
- Liana Libongco

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I have always had a problem with overwork, and I have always worried that I'm not doing enough. This calm and tranquil moment in SOM forest reminds me that magis can also mean slowing down and taking care of myself and of my peace. When we take things more slowly, we may see more things along the path forward that would have otherwise gone unnoticed.

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Working with other people have always been both a fear and a need of mine, often bringing me to debate about the pros and cons of working with others. However, although working by myself is fun, it is with others that I am best reminded of how we all are part of something bigger than ourselves. It also reminds me that everyone is worth loving, and that everyone should be given a chance to contribute and become empowered.

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I've always been constantly inspired by nature, flowers most especially. I believe flowers beautifully embody the spirit of Magis because they remind me of the beauty of life and how and why it should be cared for and loved especially in the face of adversity. They serve as gentle reminders of what beautiful things can bloom forth from even the simplest acts of love and kindness.

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My baby sister is my constant reminder and inspiration to be better, to do good, and to always be loving and understanding. For me, she is a symbol of a new hope, of innocence, of pure love that has not yet been exposed to the cruelties of the world. As her sister, I want to make sure that she is shielded from the pain of the world, or if she does experience it, which is inevitable, she is equipped and founded in strength that will help her get through it. But more than these, that she experiences and know love that every children and people deserves to feel and have. Starting with her, I want to become a better so that I can learn how to love and choose the more loving options to share not only towards her but to everyone I meet in my life.

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My mom inspires me to practice the spirit of Magis and to always pick the more loving option. She wakes up early in the morning to go to work and attend business meetings, yet, always finds the time to  make sure I start off my day right by leaving me something to eat and a glass of water on my table. Acts like these are what allow me to view Magis as more than just extravagant acts but ones that we can easily do and often take for granted.

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The concept of magis has always been explained to me through the direct translations of the Latin word — more, greater, better. Understanding magis through superlatives makes the concept seem daunting and demanding. It seemed to be about burning yourself out for excellence. But I realize now this is an incomplete idea of the spirit of magis; it’s about choosing the more loving option and discerning the greater good and to better serve God. This is what characterizes acts guided by magis, not their difficulty or the excellence they demand.

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An image that often springs to my mind which inspires me to practice the spirit of Magis would be the fact that Health equity may still not be attainable for all. And this is despite the fact that the technological advances in the world appear to ever-growing-reaching far more greater heights than anyone could have imagined. It's quite important to remember that there are still people falling through the cracks and that we, as a collective power, can do something about it.

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Early morning sunrise by the pier while biking

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The sunrise reminds me of Magis because, just seeing it took a lot of effort (It's hard to wake up very early in the morning :>), but the results are very fulfilling. Additionally, the people witnessing the sunrise with me that time-- my tita, the vendors on the street and small children with their parents were very happy by the sight of the sun. It reminds me of how Magis is supposed to bring awareness and compassion to the people around me and how I should always choose the more loving option, in a way that would lead to the happiness of myself and others. It reminds me that I should share what light I have to the world and give hope to others by allowing them to flourish.

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The spirit of magis is exhibited in a lot of ways but I believe using knowledge and technology to bring forth aid and help to communities in need is one of the best ways to practice such. Like the pre-positioned packets of Purifier of Water made by P&G that were distributed to communities affected by typhoons, this inspires me to be wise and good-intentioned with the decisions I make and do something fruitful with the knowledge I've acquired in all my years of schooling.

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I will always be inspired to practice magis - in spite of my flaws and brokenness as a person - by the unmerited kindness the people around me have shown me . I often tell my priest-formators that the love they continuously show me humbles me because I am always reminded of how much my Father loves me. As a consequence, I find it difficult to turn people away when they need help or to not give my time to someone in need. This isn't because I'm a good person... far from it. It's simply rather my way of sharing the Father's Love after He has empowered me to love others by virtue of Divine Predilection.

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A photo that can remind and inspire me to practice the spirit of Magis is myself. Because at the end of the day we do what makes us happy and with that we can radiate this positivity and hopefully inspire other people as well to achieve their dreams and do what makes them happy.

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Since I was 13, I always thought of sunsets as my little inside joke with God because of how amazed I would be every time I see it even if it's technically something we see everyday. To me, sunsets are a reminder of God's love and how expansive His love is for us -- in everything He does, it is done with love and excellence, and we see that even in the way He paints the sky. So every time I see a sunset, I will be reminded to practice magis, because that is what God does for us everyday.

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I always remember the song "Two" by Sleeping at Last when I think about a great and selfless type of love. The thing is, the song doesn't talk about any grand gestures, but simply illustrates that the protagonist of the song just wants to be with their loved one, encourage them to talk, and ask and offer them whatever they need in that moment. Living a life practicing magis to me means living a life thoughtfully and in support of other people, regardless of whether they are able to return the favor or not, which is what I think this song illustrates so well.

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For me, the spirit of Magis is doing your best to be there for other people even if sometimes you are in a difficult state. It takes courage and effort to give yourself despite having to deal with personal problems. At the end of the day, this action fulfills us in our gifts of being there for people.

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This is a few pictures from the app Locket, where we could send pictures to close friends and the app displays them on the widget. We would share even the most random things (although it's mostly puppies). I always found it endearing because it doubles as a way to keep up with one another, as another way of telling each other about our days even at times when we're too busy to go on calls. I think the spirit of magis can also be found in these small gestures with your support system. It becomes a mosaic of details and experiences from even the most mundane acts of kindness and love.

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Exercising has always been a great practice for me to love myself by taking the time out of my busy schedule and move my body. Even though this has been a way for me to practice self-care, I've always included my family and friends to exercise with me and enjoy working out together. This has definitely inspired me to practice Magis because it begins with showing and choosing love for myself as well as for the people close to my heart.

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Understanding one's responsibilities and the pressures that are present can be an overwhelming task, leading to making one feel small, insignificant, and helpless amidst the mountain of expectations and countless ways by which things can go wrong. Magis to me is not simply going above and beyond what is expected as not all possess the capabilities nor the mental capacity to do so: it's about understanding one's limitations and working with those around you to overcome them. In doing so, you learn to work with others and help them overcome their own difficulties as an understanding of Magis means an understanding that reality exists beyond the self, and a struggle together is worth far more than the isolation of working alone.

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The people who inspire me to practice Magis are my parents. I see through them how children of God should act especially with how they treat other people. I've observed countless times of them going out of their way to help their friends, family, and even people they do not know who are in need. They also give help anonymously which teaches me that when we do something for others we should not expect something in return .

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I value empathy and generosity a lot, so my form of Magis is I love to give to my friends and loved ones. Even on my busy and my exhausted weeks such as these, I spare time for quality time with my loved ones, and I even sacrifice some more of my energy and time when they need help academically, emotionally, or whatever else. However, I do my best to leave some love for myself as well because I can't take care of my friends if I don't take care of myself as well.

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Hi. This is my mother in the picture, and she inspires me to be a more loving person because I realized that's how she is as a mother to her children. If the true spirit of Magis compels us to be more loving persons, and to choose the more loving options, I think my mom has embodied it well. If sometimes I can't find the strength within me to be a better person, I look back and think of my mom—with a kind of "do it for her" mindset. :)

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My parents like doing small things with great love. Cooking food, sending messages, and taking care of plants could have been done simply for the sake of necessity or staying busy, but they choose to go through life genuinely believing in what they do. Because it’s so natural for them to turn mundane moments around with love, this way of doing things more easily spills over into bigger pursuits too, like their careers. They inspire me to pour love into everything — work, hobbies, relationships, and even rest.

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Random vision board picture from Google!

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Above is an image of a vision board; because for me, my various dreams, goals, and aspirations best inspire me to practice the true spirit of Magis. These goals may change over time, and many are flexible; but just having that hope for a brighter future constantly drives me forwards in an attempt to reach it. These dreams also remind me that I will continue to evolve as an individual, as I try to become a better me; and so I should make the choices that will transform me into a more genuine and loving version of myself.

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I always adore talking to strangers on the street even if it only includes casual greetings and kumustahan. I am always motivated to start my day right whenever I hear stories from them and converse in a meaningful discourse on a certain topic. I guess I get my energy sometimes from the kindness that I see in others, which is very inspiring to liven up the magis in me.

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I wouldn't say I'm selfish, but I definitely wouldn't say I'm selfless either. I always kept to myself, and thought that other people would sort their own things out. But as I get older and learn more about how cruel the world can be (through personal experience as well), I understand that it literally costs nothing in any sense to be kind and help other people out. I always recall that Magis doesn't necessarily mean more, it also means better. Meaning that while we shouldn't pressure ourselves and spread ourselves too thinly, we should still aim to at least do something more or beyond ourselves everyday.

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In terms of being a more loving and patient person, there is nothing like the smile of a stranger when we cross paths that jolts me to remember how good it feels to do the same to others. In the spirit of Magis I am reminded to become a better person for my own sake and others through kind actions that make the world a little bit better.

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Seeing the wonders of nature and the people that continues to fight for its preservation for a better future. I am reminded of the concept of magis and choosing for the more loving option and doing greater not only for the environment that surrounds me and provides for me, but also for the sake of my community and our future children. This particular image is a landscape of sierra madre, the longest mountain range in the Philippine, and a main factor that lessen the flooding and impact of our seasonal typhoons. Magis is choosing to love God's creation and recognizing its purpose and design God intended it for.

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A photo that best reminds me to practice the spirit of Magis is this picture of a person hiking up a mountain. This reminds me to keep going and not give up on reaching my dreams and goals. This reminds me to go beyond and reach even greater heights.