Generosity and compassion are the traits that could be inseparable to a person with a good heart. This could be a manifestation of the involvements I had during the summer activities I went through; the Holy Week and the Kateki-Zamer.
I was hesitant on the onset of the activities for in fact I’m quite afar and I have to gamble with unpredictable trips of jeepneys in our “sitio” in Bgy. Tinga Itaas (border of Soro-soro) and as well the scorching heat of the summer. If jeepneys’ trips faltered, then, I have to ride on a tricycle paying exorbitant fares. Well, in God’s mercy, I went through it successfully. I was thinking that those simple conflicts were only trials that tried how determined I was in those trying days. Later on, I reflected and realized that perhaps things meant to happen like tricks…in the beginning they’re difficult and for sure in the end is very rewarding.
On the face of the uprising activities, I continued my mission…to join the religious activities for everyone’s sake. In the recent Kateki-Zamer, there I met various children that are products of different family upbringings. There I met the most “rude boy” Joben.
During the first day, God perhaps destined me to have a close encounter with a person of great spiritual need. I could clearly recall the statement emphasized during a retreat I attended, “there is something good in you” in the Parable of the Pencil. Yes, it was a tricky game. On the first day, the boy tried to escape and come home while the class is ongoing. I made all my best to convince him to return. Minutes I spent, I did not surrender. At last, he returned…same thing I did to other boy like Jomar, both did similar things on the succeeding days.
Rude he was, Joben, I got a chance to talked with him personally. He admitted that he was hungry, he beg alms, has a gambler-father, have five siblings, and many more. His revelations were slaps in my personality…similar pain refreshed for we had a similar childhood experience. Unknowingly, I’m innocent of the goodness behind his rude mask of behavior. In a snack time, he set aside his snacks (drinks and breads) then preferred to play. I asked why he won’t eat for the meantime. He told me that those snacks will be for his siblings, he will bring them home. It was a shock how thoughtful the boy is…I never expected it. Truly, though how naughty a person is, still, there is a hidden goodness in him. I was touched with that attitude…for the thoughtfulness he has for his siblings. He set aside the food not for himself but his siblings…though the foods are in his hands, still, he sacrificed not to eat them.
The richness of one’s behavior can’t be measured by mere staring on one’s personal appearances. As the saying says, “don’t judge the cover of the book.” A person with untidy appearance could be the best person ever you met during the day. A person with foolish manner could be the person who helps you during a certain trial. The one whom you ever doubted could be the person who defies you from misconceptions. We never know…behind dirty faces are luminous souls inside, good hearts within, and a profound principle embedded.
Like the mirth on our face, it seem simply a dirt in far gaze. Little we know, perhaps some of these mirth could be the finest, who knows these could be specks of powdered golds? In this fruitful encounter, I’ll always cherish the spiritual learning I had…be unselfish! #

Sumuong ng mahinahon sa gitna ng ingay at pagmamadali
At alalahanin kung anong kapayapaan ang maaring meron sa katahimikan,
Hangga’t maari’y huwag sumuko
Gawing maayos ang pakikitungo sa lahat ng mga tao
Ihayag mo ang katotohanan ng malumanay at malinaw,
At makinig sa mga iba, kahit sa pulpol at mangmang;
Sila din ay may sariling kuwento.
Iwasan ang maiingay at mababalasik na mga tao,
Sila ay panirang-puri sa kabanalan.
Kung ihambing mo ang sarili sa iba
Maaari kang maging hambog at mainis; sa kadalasan
Mayroong mas nakakahigit at mas kapos-palad na mga tao kaysa iyo.
Namnamin ang iyong mga tagumpay at gayundin ang iyong mga balakin
Tangkilikin mo ang iyong sariling trabaho, gayunman ay magpakumbaba.
Ito’y tunay na kayamanan sa nagbabagong mga kapalaran ng panahon.
Ugaliing mag-ingat sa iyong mga ugnayang pang-trabaho.
Dahil ang mundo ay puno ng panlilinlang.
Subalit kang mabulag sa kabutihang-asal na taglay
Maraming tao ang nagsusumikap para sa matayog na mga mithiin;
At saan man dako, ang buhay ay puno ng kabayanihan.
Magpaka-ikaw ka. Lalong-lalo, huwag magkunwari sa nararamdaman
Ni hindi man mangutya sa pag-ibig;
Sapagkat sa harap ng lahat ng mga kawalang-sigla at kabiguan
Mas pangmatagalan pa kaysa sa damo.
Tanggapin ng magiliw ang payo ng mga taon,
Mabikas mong isuko ang kagamitan ng kabataan.
Pag-ibayuhin ang lakas ng espirito para sanggahan ka sa mga biglaang pagkasawi
Ngunit huwag balisahin ang iyong sarili ng mga kahibangan.
Maraming mga takot ay idinulot ng kapaguran at karilagan.
Ikaw ay ang anak ng sansinukob.
Na walang iba kundi ang mga puno at mga bituin.
May karapatan ka para tumira dito.
Walang duda na ang sansinukob ay namumukadkad na kanyang dapat gawin.
Dahil dito, maging panatag ka sa iyong Panginoon
Anuman iyong naisin nawa’y ikaloob Niya,
Sa anuman ang iyong gawain, at mga hangarin.
Sa maingay na kalituhan sa buhay,
Maging mapayapa ka at ng iyong kaluluwa.
Sa lahat ng kanyang pagkukunwari, pagkalumbay at sirang mga pangarap,
Nananatili pa ring maganda ang daigdig.
Maging maligaya ka. Sikapin mo maging masaya.

What word do you can think can weaken the word “trust”? Well, very simple, it’s only a two-letter-word but it’s mighty that it has done much change on humanity. Scads of people quarrel because of the word “if”. Why? It’s because of misinterpretations or misconceptions behind it. Most people don’t know the virtue of the word “if” because they’re simply contented that what they can only see is what they believe in. Oftentimes, some associate “if” to mistrust in the existing belief and the existing rule. Some feel that they are betrayed in their standards when somebody would confront using “if”.

Frankly, most scientists are successful because they solidly rely on “if”.
From this, they are able to experiment with trial and errors and are able to perfect an experiment because of being curious with “if”. This allows them to exert or extend curiosity on other matters that would likely expand the limited knowledge they have.

Simply thinking and analyzing, do you think ships exist today if the ancient people didn’t think of crossing the seas? Formulating hypothesis always allows the ‘if’ on any statement. This simple word serves as the guidepost to anticipate what possible thing will happen in the future. Future? Yes, it’s definitely future and in relevance to the present and past. “If” is frequently associated to what’s incoming…it’s a tool of anticipating future situations that should be readied. “Be prepared!” as what the boy scouts say…these men truly anticipate whatever situations may arise and be ready for any strategies.

Have you ever tried reflecting on a certain act which you did? Then, recall…have you ever tried asking this way: “if I failed to do that and then I’ll be…” or “if I only did that then…” For sure, it’s then you’ll realize how important the word “if” is. In decision making, a healthy decision is a product of “if”. This tiny word is the soul of decision-making, settling strategies, giving justice and analyzing conditions. “If” tolerates creative and analytic thinking…it enables someone to think of new strategies and witty ways. It also drives a person away from foolishness because it’s a tool to forecast the possible outcomes of a flattery.

The weak point of “if” is that it prescribes skepticism to a person who is not used to be “madiskarte”. It weakens relationships, too. It dilutes trust for it suggests an alternative if the other partner will interpret the other way round. Yes, it’s aching to hear a partner asking, “what if we’ll break?”, “what if I’m dead”, “what if I have another lover” but it helps a lot to ready anyone for the worst or for the best! In reality, “if” suggests an alternative and preparedness but it doesn’t necessarily mean a kit for unfaithfulness. “If” gives the quick decisions to emergencies and cultivates resourcefulness in crisis.

Don’t worry for “if” is just a church bell…it’s a word that serves as the bell for all situations! Once it rings in your mind then there must be a response…it’s your choice that will throw you in any fate. Furthermore, I urge that everyone to take the right steps in acting a certain pace as required by the “if” for an err can’t erase a failure even the person cries even if you’ll cries over a spilled milk!
“If” is mighty! So, to live wholesome, remember to ponder on this in everything you do, “what if you’ll gain… or you’ll fail?” #

What word do you can think can weaken the word “trust”? Well, very simple, it’s only a two-letter-word but it’s mighty that it has done much change on humanity. Scads of people quarrel because of the word “if”. Why? It’s because of misinterpretations or misconceptions behind it. Most people don’t know the virtue of the word “if” because they’re simply contented that what they can only see is what they believe in. Oftentimes, some associate “if” to mistrust in the existing belief and the existing rule. Some feel that they are betrayed in their standards when somebody would confront using “if”.

Frankly, most scientists are successful because they solidly rely on “if”.
From this, they are able to experiment with trial and errors and are able to perfect an experiment because of being curious with “if”. This allows them to exert or extend curiosity on other matters that would likely expand the limited knowledge they have.

Simply thinking and analyzing, do you think ships exist today if the ancient people didn’t think of crossing the seas? Formulating hypothesis always allows the ‘if’ on any statement. This simple word serves as the guidepost to anticipate what possible thing will happen in the future. Future? Yes, it’s definitely future and in relevance to the present and past. “If” is frequently associated to what’s incoming…it’s a tool of anticipating future situations that should be readied. “Be prepared!” as what the boy scouts say…these men truly anticipate whatever situations may arise and be ready for any strategies.

Have you ever tried reflecting on a certain act which you did? Then, recall…have you ever tried asking this way: “if I failed to do that and then I’ll be…” or “if I only did that then…” For sure, it’s then you’ll realize how important the word “if” is. In decision making, a healthy decision is a product of “if”. This tiny word is the soul of decision-making, settling strategies, giving justice and analyzing conditions. “If” tolerates creative and analytic thinking…it enables someone to think of new strategies and witty ways. It also drives a person away from foolishness because it’s a tool to forecast the possible outcomes of a flattery.

The weak point of “if” is that it prescribes skepticism to a person who is not used to be “madiskarte”. It weakens relationships, too. It dilutes trust for it suggests an alternative if the other partner will interpret the other way round. Yes, it’s aching to hear a partner asking, “what if we’ll break?”, “what if I’m dead”, “what if I have another lover” but it helps a lot to ready anyone for the worst or for the best! In reality, “if” suggests an alternative and preparedness but it doesn’t necessarily mean a kit for unfaithfulness. “If” gives the quick decisions to emergencies and cultivates resourcefulness in crisis.

Don’t worry for “if” is just a church bell…it’s a word that serves as the bell for all situations! Once it rings in your mind then there must be a response…it’s your choice that will throw you in any fate. Furthermore, I urge that everyone to take the right steps in acting a certain pace as required by the “if” for an err can’t erase a failure even the person cries even if you’ll cries over a spilled milk!
“If” is mighty! So, to live wholesome, remember to ponder on this in everything you do, “what if you’ll gain… or you’ll fail?” #