Overflow of Thanksgiving

It was 6am, i was going through my normal day prepping to go to work.  When I left home, the wind welcomed me in great multitudes.  When I reached the office, what welcomed me on the news was that a part of Tacloban was hit by a super typhoon.  Signal no 4 it shouted!  The live video paint a thousand words that kept playing in my mind.  Where is Tacloban? It's a small province in the Visayas, where houses are made of cheap materials.  Materials that won't resist the wrath of typhoon.  I got scared for them but that's all i can do for now.  The day went by with the pre-occupation of tasks at work, my own little world. 

A lot of us chose to live within our own worlds, pre-occupied by our selfish motives, the 'I' dreams and "me" goals.  In the onset of the typhoon Haiyan, we are called to stretch out ourselves and give our time money and resources to people who barely who have lives to live.  

When there is no shelter, no food, no family what is there to live for?   

Quoting Dean Andy Bautista: "It is difficult to find meaning in this most recent tragedy.  So much senseless death and suffering.  Is this part of some divine plan or perhaps divine retribution?"  

The God of life has taken away lives… The God of mercy has in front of us merciless killings brought about by nature.   Who could fathom that?  No one!  It's far beyond our human frailties.  What we could understand and could do something about is to lend people a hand.    

A personal account of Dean Andy's colleague, who is based in Manila but born and bred in Tacloban City but flew to her hometown last Monday to see what had become of her family, loved ones with whom there was absolutely no contact since the storm hit:

I feel aggrieved when I hear unconfirmed double (and triple) hearsay about negative things back home but let me concentrate on the positive for the moment.  For the past week, I relied on (and continue to rely on) the kindness of strangers on the streets of Tacloban and on the phone lines of Manila to get help to friends and family back home.  The guy who gave my friend and I a ride on his motorcycle so we didn't have to walk in the sweltering heat from the airport to the city; the teenager who gave my aunt his only bottle of water; the stranger who lent my uncle his cell phone so my uncle could text me that he was stranded at the airport; the soldier who helped my brother lift my 100-year-old grandmother into the crowded military plane -- these are the people I choose to honor and to cite.  My own personal heroes.  So yes, there is social as well as natural distress in a city I continue to love but can hardly recognize.  Yes, there is violence in some quarters and incompetence in others.  But there is also unbelievable empathy, generosity and consolation from the most unexpected of sources.  I choose, at this point, to cling to the light and the hope that it will overcome the darkness.

So while much was taken, much abides.  And this is where the importance of maintaining the right perspective and attitude comes into play.

As a final literary thought, let me recount the last lines in Thornton Wilder's Bridge of San Luis Rey which ought to explain the inexplicable --why five people plunged to their deaths after a rope bridge they were crossing broke:  There is a land of the living and a land of the dead and the bridge is love, the only survival, the only meaning. 

Today is Thanksgiving Day in the U.S, the Filipinos are one in celebration because of the myriads of help that are freeing us day by day. 

Easter Meaning

According to different sources, Easter originated from various groups.

There is that mythical figure named Eostre which was believed to be a symbol of sunrise and/or spring. From the east comes the sun.  When there is sunrise, one sees a new day.  When it is spring, one sees new life.

For Pagans, it is some rites of spring.  For Jews, the passover (God delivered them out of Egyptian bondage).  For Christians, it is the highest form of celebration --Christ resurrected in Easter. For kids, it is bunnies, decorated eggs, and treats.

Different origins, different meanings, different celebration.

Whatever it may mean, what surely brings is great tidings of joy..

At least for most of us..

Being surrounded with kids, Easter has sprouted two observations in the family. Being in a Christian community, we are obligated to celebrate the mass first.  It is important for kids to understand what Christ did to save humanity from eternal damnation (in children's language please). Second, after mass comes the "fun" and games for kids, searching for eggs and receiving gifts out of them.  This is exactly what I was expecting the kids to do today..  However, I found them at home confused, teary, afraid upon seeing me.  It was unusual... At one second, I was not sure what to do... I was not sure why...

"Mom is not home..." "Dad left..."  were the only things they said..

These kids are seeing face to face and feeling the trauma of a problematic family..  I have wished I could just take them away, out of the situation.  But I can not... My heart was wrenched when I left.. may God give them a Spring of hope..  New life.  An Easter!!!

I felt God was suffering too witnessing the scene...

..in God's holy time, things will get better... At the very least, I hope the kids will understand what is happening and muster courage to find happiness in their lives, inspite of..

The Indoor of our Life

In the month of hearts, let's stop and think about what's inside ourselves.  We will keep it "indoor" internally this time. The "outdoor" will follow... As Buddha says, "whatever you feed your mind and soul (represented by heart), it is what you become."

Being an Entrepreneur, I make a conscious effort to learn about what the business acumen practice to be successful. In one of my readings I chanced upon this author, motivational speaker named Debbie Ford. She is NY Times best-selling author and an internationally recognized expert in the field of personal transformation and human potential.

When asked how she defines soul, she answered "Soul is a part of us that never dies... it is who we are at our core... it carries all the lessons, messages in the past... it tells us why we are here (living on earth) and what we are here to do..."

What does your soul say?

A Life of Poverty

extracted from Bo Sanchez' Truly Rich Club newsletter

For 20 years, I lived a life of poverty....

Once upon a time, I was a poor missionary.  I was so poor, there were days I couldn't even get a haircut, or eat a burger, or even ride the bus. For 20 years, I lived with a few pesos in my pocket.  Yes, I was happy serving god, but there were days when I wished I had a little extra so I could give more, help more, share more.

I loved the poor.  For years, I lived with them.  To minister to them, I lived in a squalid slum area; and for 3 long years, I lived in the boondocks that had no water or electricity, so I could live with orphans and abandoned elderly people.  I really thought that to love the poor, I had to BE poor.

Bus as I look back, subconsciously, it was almost like I wanted to REMAIN poor.  (I never realized this before.  Just in hindsight.) Proof: I distanced myself from learning about money, learning about business, or learning about investments... I felt ALL of that was of the devil.

But every so often, I had dramatic, pivotal moments that would rock my world.  That shook me to my very core.

Like that phone call I received at two in the morning.  My friend called me up, saying, "Brother Bo, we're bringing my sick baby to the hospital.  Please pray for us because we have no money!  I don't know if the hospital will accept us.."

I said, "Yes, I'll pray..."

When I put the phone down, I felt a searing pain in the pit of my stomach.  Because I realized she wasn't just asking for prayer.  She was asking for money.  But I had nothing.  At that time, I had 55 pesos in my pocket.  I felt so bad.  I felt my heart was a can of Coke crushed under the tire of a truck.  I said, "God, will it ALWAYS be like this my whole life? I feel so helpless."

And in my heart, I felt God tell me, "Bo, life is a choice." [end of article]

And, indeed, life is a Choice...

At the end of 2007, I chose to become an Entrepreneur.  Looking back at my childhood, journals, and life situation at that time, I thought it was the right time to become Independent and venture on a business... but there was a detour - I will tell you about it next time...  Have a great weekend!