LIFE IS NOT ALL ABOUT YOU -- IT'S ABOUT OTHERS TOO

The homily at mass today was one I consider among the best I have heard. Delivered by a Filipino priest, it was so simple so much that it was easy to grasp. Unlike some other sermons delivered which tend to fall on the wordy nerdy side of telling, this one talked straight from the heart to other hearts.  Others failing this criteria will find me appreciating the architectural details of the church or chapel more rather than on God’s servant on the mike telling me how to be a good Christian. Oh but I do find others with their own ways of coping with a boring bland delivery… they doze it off or walk out to smoke their cigarettes. (This doesn’t happen with Bishop Soc Villegas with his homilies. In ten minutes, you get the right dose of medicine for your soul. You come out of church happy that you went in.) In this article he talks about ‘homily abuse’……..… 

http://www.rappler.com/na…/88758-bishop-warning-homily-abuse

Today’s homily in essence says about living a life not simply for ourselves but for others, too. Further down the narrative the priest tells of a story of new graduates for the priesthood. When asked how they see their future in about 5 – 10 years in the midst of the political and social problems of the day, the common reply was ‘I’d be very successful… get to a high position… storm the Vatican with my brilliance…’ Then the priest turned to us and said ‘Nothing wrong with all that. But what will you do with what ails your country and people?’

These are times when one is called to be more for others, too. Sadly this is not much understood in some. I have read this somewhere...a writer remarked that the present generation is called the ‘me generation’. The question topmost in one’s head when something presents itself is ‘What’s in it for me?’

Observe our politicians today as they gear themselves for the coming election; notice their gestures, mannerisms, their beliefs, thoughts-words-deeds. Do they seem familiar?

A wise man once said that ‘People are mirrors of you and me. Their good and their bad.’ Thus, they are not just bad politicians to whom we entrust the leadership and management of our country with, we are bad voters too. Is that right?

Selfishness. Selflessness. Two words poles apart (i.e. North Pole, South Pole) in meaning and intent. As defined by Webster…. Selfishness is the quality of being selfish. Selfish is lacking consideration for others; concerned chiefly with one's own personal profit or pleasure. Selflessness or selfless is having or showing great concern for other people and little or no concern for yourself.

Like mom would often say…. ‘Honey, life is not all about you. It’s also about others, too. Life is about being in this together.’   By God's design.

Let's be kinder. God bless you and your loved ones.

LIFE IS STILL A GOOD MIX

 

----------------------

Was in a conversation with a dear old friend on the phone... which after a bit was leaning towards loneliness and depression. Hers, that is. She's been through a lot; had her share of ups and downs.. missed chances and successes. Just like the rest of us. Yet she feels that she could have done more and because she wasn't able to now feels remorse over it. She rattled away with things she would have wanted for her life.... the things she would have loved to do. I sensed that every 'should have' and 'would have' simply fed her loneliness and bitterness even more so
.
I will not talk about her further; I've said much already. But her problem is one which we all are familiar with... or maybe have gone through in our own individual journeys, too. There is no perfect journey for any of us. We mess up some things along the way.... bungle up opportunities.... scare away good relationships and people.... at times refuse to grow.... at certain points get so puffed-up by our own perceived importance.... then too become humbled by truth.... made fools of ourselves.... and so much more. All those failed moments leave a bitter taste in the mouth and create in the heart a void.. a deep jarring hurting haunting void.
.
I know; had my share.
.
But we also have those sparkling wondrous breathtaking gems of joy. Those moments.... that lit up our faces... that bring the stars to our eyes... that shake up our whole being with laughter... that drench our souls with magnificent peace... that pour upon our lives the bountiful rewards of success and good fortune.... moments which make us feel good about ourselves, about the world, about people, about our life, about God!
.
It's a good mix. No matter how you may think or feel to the contrary, it's still a good mix. Because if you look hard enough and pay close attention... you will understand that all of the bad made you grow and all of the good made you wrap up everything in one good bag. That's who you are. It's made you who you are.
.
And if still that doesn't make you feel better.... read this quote -- "Don't look at how far you have to go, look at how far you have come." (Joyce Meyer)
.
Also, remember that there is Somebody up there who is running the whole show of our lives. His objective is and always will be that we grow better in character, better not bitter.
.
If we must work harder, let it be in learning how to see ourselves and our lives through the eyes of God.
.
Take care, my friends; and God bless you, your family, and everything else good about you. And that is great!

THE PERSON YOU DECIDE TO BE

Mr. Quote Man thought this a good quote and sent it to my inbox...........................  

 "Don't judge me by MY PAST. I don't live there ANYMORE" 

-- Unknown

Yes, it is a good one but I have learned this much too that people generally tend to judge a person by his or her past more than anything else. People have always been that way.. it's human nature.. it's also a human flaw.. it's also a myopic view of life. People do not think in terms of  'what if' ... but rather of 'what has been'. Sad but true. To ask people not to judge by one's past is like aiming for the moon. Only the magnanimous of heart are capable of sifting through the past and understanding what it sees there and then moving on to the present and appreciating it for what it's truly worth. But that, unfortunately, is a rare gift.

And is I think one lesson in life which we are meant to learn and relearn -- if but again and again until we finally get it. To understand best that people do change over time. And that whatsoever you so choose to be is all up to you. But certainly change will get you there.

BELIEVE

What am I saying, am having enough problems believing that myself. It's hardest when the chips are down or when future prospects seem bleak or when doomsayers say that our world is wildly spinning round and close to tottering out of control.

But you know what... I must believe or I will simply go nuts with this wild crazy world of ours. I must believe that there is hope, courage, faith, goodness, compassion, fair play, honesty, love, truth, trust, kindness, integrity, talent, professionalism, justice, and ... believe that people everywhere do really care about our world - mother nature - and of each another.

I will -- believe. Even if prices go skyrocketing high pushed by greed and materialism, I will believe that good people out there will band together and lend their voices to reason and right. Even if justice is misused and mismanaged, I will believe that the rule of law will catch up sooner or later. Even if wrongdoing, cheaters, power, wealth, beauty and fame are idolized out of proportion, I will believe that not everybody adheres to that point of view. Even if politicians manipulate the ignorance and poverty of the small man of the streets, I will believe that a hero will rise and champion the poor and underpriviledged. Even if they say that the good won't survive our world, I will believe that the good will prevail no matter the obstacles placed in its way. Even if friends tell me that I am wasting my time being nice cos people are generally bad, I will believe that people deep inside are basically and truly good. Even if we have our differences, I will believe that we can always find a common ground. Even if my dreams are frustrated and shattered now, I will believe that I can dream again another time. Even if they tell me that I can't be this or that nor do this or that, I will believe that I can be anything I want to be and that everybody has talent and potential. Even if they say that there is no God, I will believe that He is there or better yet right here in my heart.

And even if our world looks bleak and dreary and that the year that passed staggered heavily weighed down by so many troubles... I will believe that this NEW YEAR could be better because many do still care enough to make it better.

A HAPPY PROSPEROUS AND BLESSED NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!