GREATNESS -- THE TINY SEED WITHIN

-----------------------
It's the little things which truly reveal greatness. Not always or necessarily in the grand or grander gestures that man throws at the world. Sometimes done simply for show by some. Rather it's that tiny kind thought or the tiniest glimmer of compassion behind the giving.... behind the smile.... behind the helping which points directly to an outstanding character or heart ..or the awesomeness of the soul.
.
It's what Mom would say 'the extra mile - the extra touch' which separates mediocrity from greatness. She would urge me to look for that mark of greatness in people. It's there, she says. Just pay attention. Sometimes though they don't know it themselves because it comes through quite naturally in them. Often too we don't notice it nor give it much attention -- we take for granted those things which we shouldn't. Our bad.
.
I guess what she means by 'the extra mile' are those things which a person does out of --- pure generosity... sympathy.. compassion.. understanding.. empathy... care... concern... solicitude.. sensitivity... charity... mercy... tolerance... humanity ---- and acting upon it a little bit more than ordinary.
.
Thinking more of the other than of one's self. That isn't always easy. We were raised to think and believe that nothing or no one else in the world matters but ..... I, me, mine, and my. What others do with their life is their business... ours is our own to tend.
.
We create walls.. fences.. gaps.. borders.. lines... to keep others out of our lives. Anyone who might cross it is a threat. Only when what they do or can offer serves our best interest would we be inclined to welcome them into our world and space or we in turn would enter their own.
.
It really is a solitary and disconnected life we're living, after all. All our fault.
.
Yet Mom would remind me that 'greatness' is still in everybody's nature as basically man is created good. By God's design. The thing is it gets buried deep down by the meanness and cares of the world. So then people forget to be kind.... to be human and humane.
.
But it's there. And it slips out sometimes, as called forth by some divine intent. Sometimes in bits and pieces. You will miss it if you don't watch for it or look harder. Pay attention. Greatness sometimes comes in small packages.
.
God bless you.

A LIFE BIGGER THAN OURSELVES

--------------------------
That was a long vacation, wasn't it? (Lenten season) Now we're back down to our regular normal routine. Live, work, play, pray, and love. I'll add one more thing to that --- write.
.
Awhile ago with nothing much to do I sat on the sofa and watched the CNN interview of US presidential candidate Kasich. I was impressed in some by the man but what truly stuck to my mind was this line.....
.
Kasich: "We need to live a life bigger than ourselves.".
.
I like that. He spoke my own thoughts. You see, after we're done with our personal pursuits (all are good; don't let anyone tell you that it's bad) and come to that place in our lives wherein we feel content, happy, accomplished..... then the time becomes ripe to set our sights on something else other than ourselves. Or bigger than ourselves.
.
We now should begin to put to use what we have become (mature, wise, learned, educated, enlightened, smart, etc) .......and with what we have (talents, skills, wisdom, resources, wealth, etc) for something bigger. Or in service to a bigger cause..... or with each other.
.
But wait...... When we speak of 'serve'... you must be thinking along the lines and likes of ----- philanthropists..... Mother Teresa..... charities..... NGOs..... medical or humanitarian missions..... or tangible substantial donations to a worthy cause..... and more. Yes, to all that -- Well, maybe one or two or a bit of everything on a grand or grander scale, if you can. All is well and good. But really not necessarily in that manner prescribed every time. Admittedly some can and some cannot.
.
Maybe this is what it means, too....
.
- A nurse who goes out of her way to care for a patient or who never lacks a kind word to say to his family
- A doctor who goes the extra mile to help restore his patient back to health without thought of added compensation
- A teacher who on seeing a student's potential pushes him or her to become better or best in class
- A person who does not throw his trash unto his neighbor's garbage can or gutter or yard or property
- A driver who obeys traffic rules and respects the rights of fellow motorists on the road
- A pedestrian who crosses on the proper lanes set for pedestrians
- A taxi driver who turns over to the proper authorities a bag left behind by his passenger
- A businessman who does not overprice his goods
- A person who does not cheat or steal or lie or bully someone
- A person who understands and cares for the environment
- A person who cares for our four-legged friends
- A person of faith in thought, word, and deed
- A person who strives constantly to give his best to every task
- A person who is kind and compassionate to the underprivileged
- A parent who disciplines and teaches his children to embrace good character values
- A politician who works for the greater good putting his interests last
---- and many more.
.
Deeds or actions which may even be considered by many as insignificant or taken for granted ofttimes unnoticed but truly in serious retrospect are worth more than all the gold in the world combined!
.
"Take time to be of courage and be kind." ---- Beautiful lines spoken in the movie "Cinderella" shown on TV two nights ago. I watched it with my eldest daughter. In fact, we saw that movie twice already.
.
I also remember this from Mom long ago .... " Caring for others is caring for yourself, too. But caring for yourself does not always redound to caring for others. "
.
Oh but we need to live a life bigger than ourselves. We are children of God and we are created for greatness, right? Don't sell yourself short.
.
May God bless you with good health, great opportunities, and joy for every good reason and in every measure big and small. In Christ. 
.
This photo was taken by my eldest daughter at the Shrine of St. Therese (in the airport and Resorts World area) .. one of the seven churches we visited (Bisita Iglesia) during this Holy Week observance.

  

A FLOWER JUST WAITING TO BLOOM

 

 

  “All wonders you seek are within yourself.”  

 –  Sir Thomas Browne

'You are a flower just waiting to bloom.' --- Those are my mother's words told to me dozens of summers ago when I was sitting by the window one day looking out and wondering what I was going to be when I grew up.

This is what I strongly encourage all mothers or parents to say to their children. These little angels running around the house doing a lot of mischief, spilling spaghetti on the floor, throwing tantrums at the slightest provocation, and every little thing to test your patience is one day going to be a ----------  lawyer, famous painter, president of the country, philanthropist, writer, doctor, engineer, cardinal ----- or a parent, son, daughter, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, grandma or grandpa living ordinary lives extraordinarily and outstanding in the eyes of God ----- or a future Mandela, Einstein, Newton, Kennedy, Mother Teresa, Pope John Paul II, and others more. And it starts in the home!

These perceived tiny brats and little devils, as most adults exasperatedly would consider them to be, have the seed of potential already placed in there by an All-Knowing God.

And what is our role as parents? We are tasked to nurture that special seed and provide it with a loving and nurturing environment to help it grow to its highest potential and purpose. We are tasked to keep them on track with their destiny. We are tasked to help them be ready for it. Because one day they will be called to their future as designed by God. One day they will bring greater glory to God. One day they will help create a better world for everyone. One day they will make great inventions or discover new treatments for diseases or build environment-friendly communities. One day they will make you proud.

Believe that our children are flowers just waiting to bloom. All wonders we seek are there in their precious little hearts and souls. That, dear friends, is truly by God's design. Believe!

May God bless you and your families.

(Thank you, Mr. Quote Man, for the wonderful quote.)

SHINE WITH YOUR LIGHT

I liked this right after having stumbled upon it in a book recently. Just had to bring it here so that I could come back to it again and again. To quote -

"Everyone has inside of him a piece of good news. The good news is that you don't know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is!"  -- Anne Frank (Germany)

Unquote.

I think that's a good reminder of who we are. We are not meant to live mediocre lives but were meant to live outstanding lives. We are each given a talent by which God expects us to put to good use. And this putting to good use should not only benefit the self but should contribute to the well-being of the other or others. I think that is just what we are supposed to do.

We were designed for a life that should shine with who we are with our God-given talents. To shine does not necessarily have to mean being on the center stage of achievement or drama or grandiose trappings or show. That could be nice but isn't the only way. I believe that there are a diversity of ways to shine as there are many different talents God has poured upon each and every person.

Here's another quote I like too:

"We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully."  -- Romans 12:6-8

The trick I believe is to discover what yours is. Because truly you can be great, you can love amazingly, you can accomplish wonderful things, and you definitely have potential. That, incidentally, is by God's design.

So shine with your light.