PASAHERO ACT 2: Being A Generous Passenger (Part 2)

A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

Prov. 11:25

An inspiring day!

Last time I introduced to you the second habit of pasahero- being a generous passenger. It’s basically practicing the lessons found in the Parable of the Good Samaritan which invites us to become generous to our neighbors- especially to people who are strangers to us. This time, I would like to continue by sharing to you how I come up with this idea and how we can practice it together. Allow me tell you the story.

Once upon time, (just to start with a bang) it was an ordinary Monday morning like the rest. Feeling down, tired, in a wishing-a-holiday mode, and with a robot-like step, I rode a jeep to start my morning travel ritual. (By the way, before, my morning travel ritual includes incantations such as, “I don’t feel like working” “I’m sleepy,” “I don’t like my work”, “travel is a waste of time” and the like. I’m telling you, these are bad for your health, so if you’re doing it, please stop it as soon as possible.)  

As the jeepney begins to depart and as I begin to day dream, the unexpected happens.  One female passenger caught my attention- she moves a little to make one passenger sit comfortably. Then I also noticed a male passenger near the driver’s seat busy as if his the “konduktor” (fare collector), extending his hand to get the fare of other passengers . Then I noticed a little girl in front of me giving me her beautiful smile.

Wow, I was amazed by what I’m seeing and it makes me feel inspired little by little. Then from that inspiration I come up with an idea, “why not list all of these things?” These are simply yet good ways to make myself busy during travel and at the same time I can use the time to help others.

So there I was, encoding in my cell phone all the things that a passenger can do to make commuting a good experience. And you know what? Before that day ends, I came out with a list of simple acts of kindness that can be done while traveling. I call this “Jeepney Etiquette”. I already post this lists previously here in my blog but let me post it again together with some additions. I assured you, read and observed it and you’ll definitely have a good time traveling.

            Here we go!

1. Wake-up early.
2. Eat your breakfast.
3. Prepare an exact fare. (barya lang po sa umaga! Plataporma rin ito ng mga kandidato makapagdikit lang ng mga campaign stickers sa jeep kahit hindi pa kampanya)
4. Magdala ng candy or biscuit, 2 empty plastic bag, pati na rin ng libro. (marami itong benefits)
5. ‘Pag may pila, pumila, kung sakaling wala, gumawa!
6. Sumakay at bumaba sa tamang lugar. (Bawal! May nanghuhuli, sabi ng driver)
7.  Iwasang sumabit. (sa pintuan, sa harapan, sa bubungan, sa gilid, o maging sa ilalim ng sasakyan)
8. Pay your fare honestly!
9. Return excess change.
10. Share your seat. Or for elderly, disabled, and children… give it!
11. Gumalaw-galaw baka ma-stroke. (umusod-usod ng kaunti sabi ng barker)
12. Huwag umupo sa may pintuan kung matangkad. (nakaharang kasi ang tuhod mo)
13. Ingatan ang iyong mga dala at sikaping hindi ito makaabala.
14. Huwag nang magpalaki ng katawan kung ‘di rin lang magbibigay ng upuan. (para sa mga macho ‘to)
15. Mag-abot ng bayad...with a smile :)
16. Say please and thank you a lot. 
17. Smile to as many passanger as you can.
18. Ngumiti habang tumatawid sa mga intersection. (tiyak na mapapansin at mai-inspire sa’yo yung mga nakatigil)
19. No smoking! (batas na ito ngayon)
20. Huwag matulog lalo na sa jeep. (‘di pa batas, pero malapit na)
21. Makipag-usap lang ng katamtaman. (may natutulog kasi. Joke)
22. Iwasang bumanggit ng pangalan sa kwentuhan. (lalo na kung negatibo at tsismis ang pinagu-usapan)
23. 'Wag magbasa ng text ng may text, lalo na't hindi kakilala. (nakaka-asar kasi)
24. Maki-'para'. (kapag ‘bingi’ ang driver, sabi nila)
25. Huwag ikalampag ang sapatos kapag nagpapa-gas ang driver (baka mag-spark).
26.  ‘Wag magkalat sa loob o labas ng sasakyan. (mortal sin na ito ngayon, fyi)
27. Tumulong at magbigay ng direksyon.
28. Huwag pag-isipan na mandurukot o holdaper ang lahat ng kasakay mo. (bad yon!)
29. Always maintain a positive self-talk. (madalas kausap mo ang sarili mo pag nagbi-byahe ka mag-isa, wag tatanggi)
30. Iwasang magmadali at matutong magmasid. (feeling turista)
31. Ipagdasal lahat ng makikita mong naka-motor. (keep them safe Lord!)
32. Pray a lot. (highly recommended ko ito lalo na yung ipagdarasal mo lahat ng ka-pasahero mo kapag mahaba ang traffic)

I hope you appreciate and enjoy the list. Again, I invite you to observe them and it will really make your travel time more worthwhile no matter how long it is. And it will not only make you happy but you can have the opportunity also to help others by your simple yet inspiring acts of kindness. If you can also do these together with the first pasahero act (being a generous saver), much better. 

Believe me, it will be an inspiring experience for you. In my case, to tell you the truth, there were times that I’m more excited to travel than going to work. And though it is still the same travel time, same route, and the same fare, it’s no longer a waste of time, but an opportunity to practice generosity.

Before I end, allow me to repeat these words to you which become the foundation of the second pasahero act: “Kapag natutong magpahalaga ang isang tao sa kanyang kapwa pasahero, matututo rin s’yang magmahal kahit kanino”.

Be a generous passenger. ‘Till next time.

Be inspired!

                         

P.S. By the way, if you have some other “Jeepney Etiquette” in mind, feel free to post it here in the comment box. Together let us inspire others to become more of a “generous passenger.” Thank you very much.

PASAHERO ACT 2: Being A Generous Passenger (Part 1)

          "In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you.” 

Mt. 7:12.

Hi there!

How was your pasahero ticket going? Hope you’re able to practice and commit yourself to it. This time, I will share with you the next pasahero act: being “A Generous Passanger”. Let me begin by telling you a story. (thanks to ahajokes.com)

Saving the Dead Rabbit

A man was driving along the highway, and saw a rabbit hopping across the middle of the road. He swerved to avoid hitting the rabbit, but unfortunately the rabbit jumped in front of the car and was hit. The driver, being a sensitive man as well as an animal lover, pulled over to the side of the road and got out to see what had become of the rabbit. Much to his dismay, the rabbit was dead. The driver felt so awful he began to cry.
           A woman driving down the highway saw the man crying on the side of the road and pulled over. She stepped out of her car and asked the man what was wrong.

          "I feel terrible," he explained. "I accidently hit this rabbit and killed it."

          The woman told the man not to worry. She knew what to do. She went to her car trunk and pulled out a spray can. She walked over to the limp, dead rabbit, and sprayed the contents of the can onto the rabbit. Miraculously, the rabbit came to life, jumped up, waved its paw at the two humans and hopped down the road. 50 feet away the rabbit stopped, turned around, waved at the two again, hopped down the road another 50 feet, turned, waved, and hopped another 50 feet. The man was astonished. He couldn't figure out what substance could be in the woman's spray can! He ran over to the woman and demanded, "What was in your spray can? What did you spray onto that rabbit?" The woman turned the can around so that the man could read the label. It said:

          " ‘Hare Spray' Restores Life to Dead Hare. Adds Permanent Wave."

The Generosity of Five Pesos

Thanks to the woman, without her compassion and her out-of -this-world “HARE” spray, the rabbit will never be alive again and will not free the man from feeling of awfulness. Indeed, with the woman’s generosity, he was able to save a life and save the driver’s (almost horrible) day.

This story may not be real, but I’m sure like the man, you already had an experience becoming a recipient of an act of generosity from strangers while you were travelling. Let me share mine. (Thanks God, the stranger that I’m going to mention here has no ‘Hare’ spray)

Commuting to work, I usually prepare smaller bills or coins to avoid inconveniences (to me and for the driver). But one time, while I was already riding a jeep going to GMA (General Mariano Alvarez, Cavite) I was not able to notice that what I have were only a hundred peso bill and ten peso coins. So though I'm hesitant, I gave the one hundred bill paying for my 15 pesos fare. The driver replied, “Sandali lang ho sa sukli sir.” (I’ll give you your change later sir”). “Sabi ko na nga ba” (I told you) I said to myself. So there I was, hoping that some passengers will still come for the driver to get enough for my change.

At the middle of the ride, I noticed again the driver figuring out how to find my  change.  And then the driver said “Wala po ba kayong barya dyan sir?” (Don’t you have smaller bills sir?). “Kulang po, sampu lang boss.” (not enough, 10 pesos only) I responded. “Sandali lang po ha”, sabi ulit ng driver. (Wait sir, the driver said).

When we are about few meters to the terminal, a co-passenger in front of me said, “magkano ba kulang sir, dagdagan ko na lang,” (How much is lacking, I’ll add.”) “Wag na po sir!” (No sir!) I replied. But to my surprise, he already has the five pesos in his hands and he’s already giving it to me that I can no longer resist. “Thank you po sir!” I said. The man just nodded and smile.  The driver then returned my hundred peso bill while I gave my 10 pesos plus the five pesos from the stranger. After a while, the man already get-off and again I thanked him.

The PasaheroTraining Ground

 Have you experienced such generosity from a stranger? It may not be the same like what I had but it maybe when someone volunteers to give you his seat, or when someone helped you to find your direction, or carry some of your belongings, or when someone simply gives you a smile. And how did you feel after that? I’m sure it was great. So why not also do the same for others when we are traveling?

Listen to what Jesus said:

"In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you.” Mt. 7:12.

A beautiful proverb also said:

“Your kindness will reward you, but your cruelty will destroy you.” Proverb 11:17

Meaning, when you sow seeds of kindness, you’ll reap fruits of kindness. But if you always sow seeds of indifference, indifference will also hunt you.

These are actually the wisdom behind the second pasahero act: being a generous passenger which is actually a way to plant seeds of generosity in our heart and in the heart of others by simple yet inspiring acts of kindness. And I believe that commuting and using public transportation are good oppurtunities to do this.  

Here’s what I believe: “Kapag natutong magpahalaga ang isang tao sa kanyang kapwa pasahero, matututo rin s’yang magmahal kahit kanino”. (If someone learns how to show concern to his co-passanger, he will also learn how to show love to “whomever.”) Indeed, commuting is a good training ground for us “pasahero” to live a generous lifestyle.

What made me tell this? Look at this; usually many of our co-passengers are strangers to us. We do not know them, and they do not know us too. So, if we really know how to show concern and think of what is good to them, then how much more we can show concern and think of the good of people who are known to us.

Not only that, usually most of our acts of kindness whether we’re riding a tricycle, jeep, bus, taxi, pedicab, train, MRT, LRT, ship, or an airplane and even just walking on the streets are “thankless” - they are usually unnoticed. So every time we do them accidentally or deliberately (like being a pasahero), we’re training ourselves to give without expecting reward like the Good Samaritan.

Being a Generous Passenger, Being a Good Samaritan

Looking at the parable, Jesus is telling us that if we want to receive eternal life, we need to give or to become generous to strangers. It's good to remind ourselves of the story. (Lk. 10: 30-37)

“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

Before, I never realized this.  So all the while I thought of my travel as a disadvantage because believe it or not, I spend 3 hours commuting every day with six transfer rides. Compute it for five working days, and it will give you 15 hours and in a month- yes, 60 long hours which I usually waste by just napping or day dreaming. (not mentioning still my daily travel expenses here)

But that was before. Now, I consider my travel as a good opportunity for me to practice generosity with others. It is no longer more of a problem (except when I’m getting short of my travel allowance. Yes, unfortunately it happens.) but a form of ministry- an opportunity to serve others. So I’m now enjoying my travel more. And I know that the longer travel I need to took, the more opportunities to practice generosity. Indeed, I was never been excited to travel today compared as before.

This is also my wish for you, that you experience always a safe and inspiring travel by being a generous passenger. 

Much has already been said, so let me pause for a while. Next time we will be giving answers to these questions:

How can you make your travel more inspiring? 
What are the things we can do to help us become more of a generous passenger?
How are we going to practice the second pasahero act?

These and more, I'll share with you next time. 

Again, thank you very much for reading this post and wishing you a blessed and generous trip.

May you always be inspired!

PASAHERO ACT 1: A Generous Saver

 The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Mt. 25:45

"Saving for yourself is good but saving also for others is even better!"

Unidentified Identity

A man was being tailgated by a stressed out woman on a busy road, when suddenly, the light turned yellow, just in front of him. He did the right thing and stopped, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection.

The tailgating woman hit the roof, and the horn, screaming in frustration as she missed her chance to get through the intersection.

As she was still in rage, she heard a tap on her window and looked up seeing a very serious police officer.The officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up. He took her to the police station where she was searched, finger printed, photographed, and placed in a holding cell.

After several hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door. She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal effects.

He said, I’m very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping off the guy in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him.

I noticed the ‘Choose Life’ license plate, the ‘What Would Jesus Do?’ bumper sticker, the ‘Follow Me to Sunday-School’ bumper sticker, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk.

Naturally, I assumed you had stolen the car.

The Three Pasahero Acts

Obviously, having a solid, virus and hacker free identity is important for us. Without it, our life will be in total chaos. That is why we device a lot of documents (certificates, ID cards, codes, passwords, etc) expressions (rituals, body marks, signs, etc.) and even join associations to protect and proclaim our identity. But sometimes like the woman, we fail to live-out the identity we’re professing.

I hope this will not happen to us being a pasahero. Because the reality is that, pasahero is more that a group, it is first and foremost an identity. It is being a generous person, living the generosity lifestyle. And for us to be really identified, we should try our best to practice these three basic “pasahero acts” or to live-out our basic identities.

A Generous Saver,

A Generous Passenger,

And a Generous Example.

A Parish Volunteer Who Sends Children to School for Free

Let me introduce to you the first pasahero act, being a “Generous Saver” by sharing with you the story of Ate Lita.

Ate Lita is a 62 years old lady and a parish volunteer working for young people. I meet her during a group sharing in the recent conference I attended. She actually shared a lot, but what inspired me most about her is that she runs a foundation that sends poor yet deserving children to school.

At first I thought that she was rich, but I was surprised when she said, “Hindi naman ako mayaman, nagtitipid lang talaga ako para makaipon araw-araw para sa kanila. Halimbawa, hindi ako nabili ng mamahaling damit, pati minsan pag kumakain ako sa labas, tinitipid ko rin. ” “Meron din akong mga kaibigan na tumutulong sa akin.” “Wow, ang galing naman!” I said.

Unfortunately, the time for sharing was over and I was not able to share with her my own version of what she’s doing. But the great thing is that I can share it to you now. I call this act the “generous saver.”

Introducing: The Pasahero Ticket

The picture at your right is a sample of pasahero ticket, a small card that reminds me of my commitment to be a “generous saver”.

Printed above-middle is the “generosity creed”, the mission of pasahero. It says: The one who gathered much, did not have too much, the one who gathered little did not have too little.” Basically this means that when people started to live generously, resources will be available and poverty will be lessened.

P 6.00 is the amount that I can save every time I go to work by riding an ordinary bus instead of an air-conditioned one. I save this amount daily so I can financially bless other people particularly when there is a need. The date (Sept. 18, 2011) is when I deliberately started this practice.

Know what? Like Ate Lita, I’m now able to help a lot of my friends and even strangers in need compared as before. Yes, it may not be much, but the thing is I was able to give them something.

Can I ask you something?

Have you experienced a moment wherein you really want to give financial support to a friend in need but you can’t afford  because you do not have the resources? Then, if you will be saving for times like these, you will no longer find yourself again in this kind of situation.

So, I believe that saving (not only for ourselves) for others is really a must for us today. Because most often, you’ll find people who will come to you for support- just to get by - especially in times of emergency. 

Save any amount that you can. It doesn’t matter if you save big or small amount as long as you do it everyday. How are you going to save it also depends in your own circumstance.  Maybe you can save it by skipping a soda after every meal, preferring to walk than a tricycle ride in short distances or maybe by stop smoking and the like.

What is also good about this pasahero act is that you’re the one to keep your savings and you will be the one to decide to whom and how you’re going to use it provided that it will be use for others. Again, you are the one to keep your savings, so be committed and honest with it. In this way, you will experience “first-hand” the joy of generosity more than just being used to chip-in or donate some of your “extra” money to an organization or movement.

Being a Spiritual Depositor to our “Pasahero Account”

By doing this together, we will all become an active and spiritual depositor in our so called “Pasahero” Account that we'll be maintaining. For you to see clearly how this initiative will work, let us try to do some mathematics.

If I can save P 6.00 per day, I have P 42.00 per week, then P 168.00 per month, then P 2,016.00 per year. Let us just say that all pasahero members (68 in all) will do the same (with P 6.00 saving per day), we can save at least 137,088 a year. If we will continue saving this amount for just five years, approximately we have P 685,400 actively working to help people around us. How about a 100 or 200 people doing this for next 30 years? That would really be something!

However, I would like to tell you that this amount is only an approximation because in reality, our saving can easily decrease when a member uses his saving to respond generously to a particular need (which I advise), or it can also be suddenly increased when a member decided to add more to his daily saving (which I also advise according to your capacity). In any case, I would like to emphasize that the amount is only a reflection of what should be happening inside us- having a more generous heart, a heart that is mindful of others.

The ”iampasahero” group Facebook Account

Now, you may be asking, how are you going to know the amount that is already saved in our “Pasahero” Account?

Yes, this is where the “iampasahero” group comes into play. And if ever you’re not yet a member of it, I would like to invite you there by clicking here and I will add you. By posting a picture of your “pasahero ticket” there, (which I will give to you through email) we will have an approximation of our saving. To facilitate our group, I’ll be computing it and keep everyone updated from time to time.

Can you imagine that? A huge amount working powerfully saving other people lives, plus more personal encounters of giving and receiving?  No doubt, this will surely help us making a more generous world today and to the generations to come!

So why wait? Write your email address in the comment box and I will be sending you your pasahero ticket. Print it, fill-it up, and post it in our iampasahero group. Keep also your pasahero ticket always so that it will become a reminder of your commitment as pasahero.

I hope I was able to give you a good picture of the first act of pasahero. If ever you still have some clarifications, I will really appreciate if you will write it below.

I wish to see your pasahero ticket soon. And together let us inspire the world to become a more generous one.

May you have an inspiring and generous life!

P.S. Being a pasahero is easy as THINK, SAVE and GIVE.  Think for the amount that you can put aside according to your own capacity. Save this amount every day. And give it personally to others who are in need. Join us today! Click here!

Inspiration 4: Allow Others to Love You

“Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. 

Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete”. Jn. 16:24

Hi there. Happy Easter!

We come now to the last part of our series: Allow Others to Love you!

This is the last of all the inspiration of pasahero yet it also reflects the beginning.

If you'll look back, I invited you to allow God to love you mainly because He's the source of all generosity. And if we're not willing to receive His love and generosity; what can we offer to ourselves and to other people? It's also liberating to believe that God loves us unconditionally for it reminds us to be humble by not relying too much in what we can do for Him but in what He can do for us.

Now, I’m inviting you again to do the same.             

But this time, allowing yourself to receive love and generosity from others. I mean, from your very own family, relatives, friends, classmates, colleagues, to all the strangers you meet in the streets, terminals, jeepneys, market, malls, restaurants, shops, gym, schools, churches, etc., and yes, don’t forget to receive love from your Mother Earth.

Don’t be Killjoy !

Bro. Joey,a friend and mentor of mine told me:

 “If you’re not willing to receive from other people, you’re becoming proud and you’re not giving them the opportunity to show and practice generosity!”

And I believe he’s right.

Have you heard someone telling you these?

You look good today! (ganda mo ngayon ha!)

Your dress is very nice and fits you well!

You’re the best! (galing mo talaga!)

Great job! Let me treat you…

What were your initial reactions?

Have you responded like these?

Not really! (hindi naman)

It’s only my luck… (tsamba lang yun)

No, you don’t need to… (‘Wag na po, nakakahiya naman)

            These were usually your answers, right?

Yes, most of the time we don’t receive these compliments well thinking that others may see us proud, taking advantage or simply we're not convinced that we deserve the appreciation.

Listen. When we always behave like this, we become more proud than being humble.

In other words, we fall on false humility!

Who are we not to receive blessing from others?

And not only we become proud, but also we're depriving others to become generous and preventing them to receive the blessing that comes with it.

Who are we to hinder others to become generous?

Who are we to hinder others to be blessed and experience happiness?

Wag kang killjoy! Ika nga. (Don’t hinder other’s happiness)

So, my invitation for you is to learn how to receive joyfully.

Here’s the truth.

If God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9:7), God also loves a cheerful receiver!

The bible says:

“Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks.” 1 Tim. 4:4

Did you hear that? Receive every good gift with thanks!

And what's more interesting is the reality that we cannot be thankful without being joyful.

Why? The bible said:

 Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete”. Jn. 16:24

Hear that again? Receiving makes our joy complete!

So this is the reason why sometimes you we're not able to enjoy what was given to you. (Uhmmm...) It is because you we're not able to learn to received it well. 

Remember the handkerchief or towel last Christmas?

How about the birthday card?

Oh yes, how about the greetings? The good mornings, how are you's, and the congratulations'?

Did you receive them well? Did you really pay attention? Did you really enjoy them?

Or you want and expect more?

Remember this my friend- Don't ever miss the blessing that comes from every gift and don't even deprive a person to be blessed by every gift he never missed! (Get it? Read it again slowly.) 

So next time someone is appreciating you or giving you something (make sure it's good), receive it well. Say thank you (mean it) and acknowledge it with your most beautiful smile!


Do you know that Jesus (mighty and powerful he is) knows how to receive joyfully?

Look at these:

Jesus received the womb of Mary, (Mt. 1:23)

Jesus received the baptism of John, (Lk. 3:21)

Jesus received the five loaves and two fishes, (Jn. 6:9-11)

Jesus received the expensive perfume on his head, (Mt. 26:7)

Jesus received the feast of Zaccheus, (Lk. 19:5)

Jesus received the applause on the first Palm Sunday, ( Mk. 11:9)

Yes, Jesus received the shamefulness of the Cross! (Mk. 15:21-32)

Because Jesus received a lot, he was able to give a lot. He’s our perfect example!

Tree of Generosity or Tree of Selfishness?

I believe each of us has two trees waiting to grow (to be received) inside our hearts:The Tree of Generosity and the Tree of Selfishness. 

Only one is destined to grow, bringing more fruit, and bringing more seeds. And the truth is; it will depend on us what kind of tree we will be allowing to grow.

The Tree of Generosity or the Tree of Selfishness? It’s your choice! 

And I know you will choose the Tree of Generosity. Right?

Because there's no person in his proper mind who will choose the Tree of Selfishness.

Have you heard someone: “Oh, I’d like to be selfish, can you teach me how? If not, can you at least tell me where can I get a Doctoral Degree of Selfishness, Major in Greed?”

I believe none.

But the sad fact is some of us are learning the craft of selfishness and some of us are becoming and graduating from life with the Summa Cum Laude of greed. (what a terrible honor to received!)

The Water and Fertilizer of Generosity

Let me end by telling you the kind of water and the fertilizer needed for you to cultivate the Tree of Generosity.

The Water: Receive love a lot.

The Fertilizer: Give love a lot.

Learn to receive love and learn to give love my friend.

Remember.

Allow others to love you!

P.S. We’ll be starting a new series next time. And it will be about the pasahero_act: the three distinct ways for you to be identified as a true pasahero. This will be great and I can’t wait to share them with you! Thank you and God bless your adventure!

Inspiration 3: Allow Yourself to Love Others (Part 2)

"Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may become the children of your Father in heaven." Mt. 5:44-45 

Hi there.

Last time, I shared with you the Parable of Jose and Wally; a parable that reveals to us the importance of transformation from being “fair” into “unfairness”.

Today, let us discover the benefits of “unfairness” and how this kind of spirituality can really help us to allow ourselves to love others and be generous.

WARNING: By the way, by reading this post, you are reminding yourself on how to live as a Christian and so you will be liable and responsible if you will never practice them into your life. I warn you, that if you do not want to practice Christianity, please stop reading this post and Click Here for you to go out.

WARNING 2: If you dare to stop reading this, something will happen to you. WEEEHHH? Just kidding! I just hope you will continue reading or at least find time to read this next time.

WARNING 3: Do not believe people who sends emails and text messages with this kind of “black mail” propaganda for thier personal gain. It’s really bad for your mental health.

 Lessons from a Mountaineering Guru

Ok. Let’s continue.

Are you familiar with Mt. 5:38-43? Did you know that Jesus likes Hiking?

One time while on top of a “mountain” he taught his disciples great lessons in life:

In a loud voice he said:

If someone hurts you- don’t take revenge.

If someone slaps you on the right cheek- let him slaps you on the left cheek too.

If someone gets your shirt with force- give also willingly your coat.

If someone asks you to carry his things one mile- carry it two miles.

If someone asks you for something- give it.

If someone wants to borrow from you- (don’t hide) lend it to him. (and never ask to return  it)

If you have an enemy- love him.

Maybe we find this wow, sassy, commendable, smooth, beautiful, inspiring, saintly… but in real life (when we're already in the situation) we also shout out for the world to hear: THIS IS UNFAIR!!!!!!!!!!

And the echo back fires and fading: UNFAIR, UNFAIR, UNFAIR, FAIR, FAIR, AIR, IR, R…..

The Spirituality of Unfairness: “I’m Just Being Fair!” Vs. “I Just Want To Be Generous!”

Yes for most of us, we think that these lessons from Christ are “unfair”. That is why many of us have this kind of self imposed philosophy:

“Lintik lang ang walang ganti!” (I’ll take revenge!)

          “Why am I going to say sorry, she’s the one at fault?”

“Sisiguraduhin kong pagbabayaran nya ang lahat ng ginawa nya!” (I’ll make him pay!)

“Di ako Diyos para magpatawad!” (I'm not God to forgive!)

“Babangon ako’t dudurugin kita!” (I’ll get up and you’ll see!)

“Utang mo, bayaran mo!” (Pay what you owe me or else…)

“Bakit ko yan pahihiramin, di ko naman yan “friend”? (He’s not my friend why am I going  to give him a favor?)

When we listen to this voices and not to the Spirituality of Unfairness:  The capacity (power) to “extend beyond what is normally "just" for ourselves”, it will really be impossible for us to develop the spirituality of generosity.

Jesus already warned us:  

If you love only the people who love you, why should you receive a blessing? Even sinners love those who love them! And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you receive a blessing? Even sinners do that! Lk 6:32-33

See, if we will not act “unfair” or be generous to our enemies or to people who hurt and debt us, we will never truly be a follower of Christ and worst, we will never experience abundantly the blessings that come from Him.

But, the thing is:

If we will generously love our enemies, we will be called children of God. Mt. 5: 45 Therefore, whatever our Heavenly Father has, we will also own it like Jesus Christ. Rm. 8:17

Choose to Give!

I know you’re asking me now if this kind of spirituality is possible for us humans. Or maybe you’re wondering is it still practical nowadays to act generously where we see poverty, price hike, injustices, crime, corruptions, etc. all over the country.

My friend, this is what I believed:

All human beings are very good and have the capacity to be generous. No exemption!

But the sad thing is that some of us do not allow this goodness and generosity to come out. Why?     

Because we are afraid and we let our fear wins our hearts.

Now, try to evaluate yourself if you have experienced these reasons why there were times you failed to give.

    The Top 5 Reasons Why People Do Not to Give

1.    People think that they have nothing to give.

2.    People think that there is nothing enough for them.

3.    People think that they cannot gain something from giving.

4.    People think that they will be abused and cannot get “even”.

5.    People think that they will be refused and misinterpreted.

When you allow these reasons to control you, you are hindering yourself to be generous. And the saddest part is: you’re not becoming who you really are - a very good and generous being like God!

God says:

Let us now create man in our own image and likeness.” Gen 1:26

Allow yourself to be like God and you’ll be Generous like Him.

Still not convinced? Watch this news clip from 24 ORAS, an evening news program aired on March 9, 2012 in the Philippines.

Did you hear what the rider have said:

“Kung nakaya ko ngang tanggapin ang kanyang mga sapak, hindi hamak na mas madali para sa akin na tanggapin ang kanyang paghingi ng tawad!” (If I was able to take the pain caused by his punches; then, it’s easier for me now to accept his apology)

What? Is he in his proper mind? O baka masyado lang nakalog ang ulo nya kaya nasabi yon.” (Or he just suffered a head trauma)

Yes, if you think like the world thinks, you’ll probably say: “This is unfair and He’s out of his mind!”

But when you think like the Mountaineer Guru thinks: “This is “unfair”, and He’s really on his proper mind!”

Listen my friend,

Choose to give and forgive!

Have you noticed the word “give” is also in the word “forgive”.Yes, you cannot forgive without giving, and you cannot give without forgiving!

Now, allow yourself to give.

Allow yourself to love others.

This is God’s image.

This is your image!

Let us pray:

Lord, you taught me that by giving, we receive. Help me understand and practice giving well, so that I can love myself and others well. Amen.

May you live an inspiring and generous life!

P.S.: I dedicate this post to all ACT and IT instructors and graduating students of Lyceum Subic. Thanks guys for your generosity.