Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Financially Independent Even at 92
(originally posted on Facebook on July 22, 2009)
My grandmother has always been my best example of a financially-independent person. She did not finish primary school, was not born with a silver spoon, but is the richest among all of us. She pays utility bills on time, makes sure the cupboard is always full, buys her medicine, and continuously sends gifts and donations to every occasion.
Two weeks ago, she requested to be confined to a nearby hospital. There was no worry on her face as to the hospital bills. She knew she could pay it even without the senior citizen discount card. And she did.
She has no financial debt. ZERO! Everybody goes to her to borrow money, and seldom does she refuse to lend. She charges no interest and many have taken advantage of not paying her back. Despite not being paid, she doesn't mind.
My dear friends, she was just an ordinary vendor of "ikmo", the leaves that goes with betel nut used by folks in chewing. She has no big business of any sort, neither was she a politician nor a syndicate leader. What is her secret? That I will feature in my next video lesson.
Thanks to Monina for taking this picture last week.
On My 41st Birthday
(This was originally posted on Facebook on July 11, 2009)
Tears are falling as I write this note. Weeks before, I had decided to be silent about it; that I would spend this day serving and serving and serving. The silence was broken with the flow of greetings from different media. For my Facebook friends, the system made it sure that friends remember me; but for the offline friends and relatives, it's amazing how they were able to mark the day to visit and greet me.
My 35th birthday was my turning point. It was the "noisiest" with singing and drinking. The noise reflected the turmoil within me. But it was the peak of my "human" existence. I have transformed since then and walked the road less traveled. (oh yes, I have always been walking the road less traveled after I graduated from high school, but this new road less traveled is somehow related to the book of the same title by Scott Peck). Gradually, I have realized myself as a soul with a purpose. So each year since then, I made sure I am growing as a soul and not just as a person.
I have served the people for the longest part of my life; yet it was only after my 35th birthday that I feel I am truly serving. From agrarian reform and rural development work, I now want to teach and reach more people to have a positive outlook in life. Things like unconditional love, financial independence, parenting, new age education are some of the things that I want to be of help. I have seen the pains of life and I want others to overcome the same.
The whole day today, I was quietly working at the seminar-workshop for teachers and parents of Silang. It was organized by municipal councilor Gigi Loyola and SILAY of which I am now a member. The purpose and vision fo SILAY is not far from what I want to do and I thank again the Universe for the alignment it has done and it is doing for the materialization of my goals.
I don't know how many more years are left for me in this lifetime. In my marathon to fulfil my purpose in life, I humbly ask each one of you to support me in whatever way you can. There are kids out there who are not able to pursue or finish primary and secondary education. I know you can help them, and together, our efforts will make their dream happen.
Finally, let me thank all of you for being a part of my life.
To my batchmates, thank you for reconnecting. I never felt this when we were in high school then. During those years, I felt you only knew me because of my scholastic standing. But now, I have become a part of you when you allowed my light to penetrate you. If you find me talking in vague words, someday I know you'll understand.
To my friends in the non-government work (NGOs), thank you for all those years of struggles and growth. My desire to serve took its roots during those years of dangers and penniless days. I may now be in a different path but I believe we still share the same vision - that of a country with people enjoying freedom and free from oppression. Someday, all these paths shall meet and we shall rest together in one destination, not in the abyss but in the great banquet prepared by our collective Self.
To my co-workers, clients, and other friends, I have learned a lot from you. Time has changed and I need to adapt. You were the result of how I was able to overcome the new face of change. You truly have served your purpose for being a part of my life in this present time.
Sa inyong lahat, maraming salamat!
Tears are falling as I write this note. Weeks before, I had decided to be silent about it; that I would spend this day serving and serving and serving. The silence was broken with the flow of greetings from different media. For my Facebook friends, the system made it sure that friends remember me; but for the offline friends and relatives, it's amazing how they were able to mark the day to visit and greet me.
My 35th birthday was my turning point. It was the "noisiest" with singing and drinking. The noise reflected the turmoil within me. But it was the peak of my "human" existence. I have transformed since then and walked the road less traveled. (oh yes, I have always been walking the road less traveled after I graduated from high school, but this new road less traveled is somehow related to the book of the same title by Scott Peck). Gradually, I have realized myself as a soul with a purpose. So each year since then, I made sure I am growing as a soul and not just as a person.
I have served the people for the longest part of my life; yet it was only after my 35th birthday that I feel I am truly serving. From agrarian reform and rural development work, I now want to teach and reach more people to have a positive outlook in life. Things like unconditional love, financial independence, parenting, new age education are some of the things that I want to be of help. I have seen the pains of life and I want others to overcome the same.
The whole day today, I was quietly working at the seminar-workshop for teachers and parents of Silang. It was organized by municipal councilor Gigi Loyola and SILAY of which I am now a member. The purpose and vision fo SILAY is not far from what I want to do and I thank again the Universe for the alignment it has done and it is doing for the materialization of my goals.
I don't know how many more years are left for me in this lifetime. In my marathon to fulfil my purpose in life, I humbly ask each one of you to support me in whatever way you can. There are kids out there who are not able to pursue or finish primary and secondary education. I know you can help them, and together, our efforts will make their dream happen.
Finally, let me thank all of you for being a part of my life.
To my batchmates, thank you for reconnecting. I never felt this when we were in high school then. During those years, I felt you only knew me because of my scholastic standing. But now, I have become a part of you when you allowed my light to penetrate you. If you find me talking in vague words, someday I know you'll understand.
To my friends in the non-government work (NGOs), thank you for all those years of struggles and growth. My desire to serve took its roots during those years of dangers and penniless days. I may now be in a different path but I believe we still share the same vision - that of a country with people enjoying freedom and free from oppression. Someday, all these paths shall meet and we shall rest together in one destination, not in the abyss but in the great banquet prepared by our collective Self.
To my co-workers, clients, and other friends, I have learned a lot from you. Time has changed and I need to adapt. You were the result of how I was able to overcome the new face of change. You truly have served your purpose for being a part of my life in this present time.
Sa inyong lahat, maraming salamat!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)