Don't Despair if You Cannot Share Blessings the Way Others Do
Posted on Wednesday, 28 December 2016
DON’T DESPAIR IF YOU CANNOT SHARE BLESSINGS
THE WAY OTHERS DO
By Apolinario Villalobos
If you come across stories in the internet
about people sharing blessings, do not wish that you could do exactly the same.
Just absorb the message of the story and transpose it into what is applicable
in your community and capability that you can possibly and sincerely do. There
are many stories in the internet with some made more interesting by
accompanying photos but, what you should do is profusely thank the Most Powerful
for giving life to these unknown altruistic souls who reached out to others
during unguarded moments and at unexpected places. What should be given notice
is their immediate unselfish act that need not be copied, but instead, used as
guidance and inspiration.
If you exert so much effort in imitating
others, the act would not be realistic.
Try to be original. Unconsciously, that could be the reason why I did
not attempt to read the book that I won as a prize and donated by our school
Director, Fr. Robert Sullivan, during an extemporaneous writing in English when
I was in high school. As a provinciano, I did not know that the book was very
popular, then and today…the title on the cover was “Imitations of Christ”. The
word “imitation” turned me off. I gave it to a boyhood buddy who is now with
the Lord (hopefully) in exchange for a paperback that contained Khalil Gibran
poems that he gave me, but which unfortunately, did not impress me, so I passed
it on to another friend, too. I am not saying here that I do not like Jesus,
but, since childhood, I had been guided by the Golden Rule, and of course, love
of the Most Powerful.
Filipinos living in Europe and America who
come across stories about altruism in the Philippines should consider the vast
differences as regards living condition and other factors. In countries where
they are, working hard for their families in the Philippines, every penny
counts a lot. Taxes in the country where they are, are high and budgeting is to
the last cent. Although, they may have a few dollars set aside for the “rainy
days”, they also need to hold on to such savings, as they have nobody to turn
to in time of emergency.
On the other hand, Filipinos in the
Philippines have friends and relatives to turn to in case of emergency, making
them “bold” enough to share their “extras” with strangers. My point here is, if ever fellowmen abroad
who come across situations about the Philippines in the internet that picture
want or poverty in various angles, they should offer prayers, rather than force
themselves, to part with their hard-earned money which they may need later.
Altruism does not
manifest in the form of material objects alone, but in things that only the
heart can define with sincerity….and they include prayers. If this attitude can
be maintained, the setting in of despair or feeling of remorse can be
prevented. Be charitable in your own affordable and doable way.
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