“A foot is measured by inches; a road is measured by miles; but a person is measured by his/her smiles.” I happily smiled at this cheerful morning greeting of love from Rev. Fr. Rod San Jose, OFM.
I was happily with a Christian Community before I decided to go on leave because my situation as a single parent demanded it so. While in there, I was able to hear complaints from my co-members regarding the seeming indifference of some of our co-members. By indifference, all they really wanted to mean was that they were allegedly taken for granted by some members, especially in places apart from our getting together as a community, and that they were not afforded even a smile.
My, some people could really get that impossible! I would have honestly liked to blurt in complete disgust and frustration by this kind of narrow-mindedness. Small a complaint as it maybe, but it sure is a sign of immaturity emanating from an insecurity. Did it ever occur to these people that maybe the un-smiley ones they were complaining about are in fact bothered by problems, personal or otherwise? Only the people who have developed empathy have the capability to make a difference unwaveringly. And there are yet a few of them.
Sympathy is already difficult for some people to cultivate. And although it could be easier for some, it won’t still suffice. The reality is, people are so hungry for love they seek hungrily to be always recognized. The sad thing is, they do not know that their complaining about other people is a manifestation of the complaint against their own self.
Watch out, friends, because when you are complaining about others, chances are great that you are complaining about yourself. A person who has learned a healthy self-love has already accepted everything there is about him/her self. And because he/she has done so, he/she is also capable of accepting and loving others. Kaya dapat muna pansinin natin ang sarili natin.
This is not about vanity. Vanity is a totally unhealthy self-love. It is all about proving. We’re talking, and are concerned more, about improving. Vanity has motives underneath which are basically coming from human desires. This is outrageously dangerous because “desires are the chain that binds us” (quoted from a t-shirt print).
I talked about living Christ in us in our past issues, friends. Now I would like to mention again that it is through this alone where we can learn empathy. When we have learned to be empathic we will be able to see our self in others. When we can see our self in others it won’t be easy for us to neglect anybody anymore. There will always be smiles on our faces as we will always be conscious of the fact that we are anyone who we see and meet, and talk to, and get together with, and so on, and so forth.
Live Christ in you, dearest friends, and you will not miss out on anybody. And you will not care if you will be missed out by anybody anymore because you will already have a very understanding heart that truly cares. But remember that only with God’s help can you be. Your effort is enough. But persistent prayer must go along with your effort.
Remember that, we can only make a difference in this cruel world by not being indifferent. Need I remind you again that we are all children of God?
Love you always…God bless…!
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