Embracing Realities

The Starting Point

We often hear the proverb that “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step (by Lao Tzu).” Be it in our personal or professional life, a good starting point always matters. In our involvement with any group, a clear goal is important for us to reach whatever we want to achieve. We need to check on ourselves, our motives included. It would help us when the going gets rough. Goals and intentions are good starting points.

Being involved in many organizations have made me realize that we get something from our experiences. When we volunteer for a certain cause, it is incomplete to say that we only give ourselves without getting something in return. Honestly, the fact that we have served an organization for years tells us that we derive something from it: opportunities that have added to our personal and professional growth. We are after all called to become “men and women for others!” Man is a relational being. “No man is an island.” We are all called to live in communities with whatever status we are in. We grow into our full selves as persons only in relating with others. Life, after all is a shared experience.

Another important reminder for those who want to serve and, in the process, become happy is that good intentions are not enough. We need to have values. The fact that we are dealing with people most of the time makes it inevitable to turn our

focus on relationships. Relationships start with the self. This is also a good starting point -- our relationship with ourselves. We need to clear all the clutters inside us precisely because these can be obstacles in interpersonal relationships.

Lastly, we need to focus on the present and future without disregarding the lessons from a victorious or miserable past. Life is like driving a car. We need to focus on what is in front of us but from time to time, we look at the rear-view mirror. What happens if we just gaze on the past? We will surely crash or be fixated.

At the end of the day, there is no pillow as soft as a clear conscience.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION:

z Have you ever volunteered for any event or activity? z What made you volunteer? z What did you feel during and after the event?