Grudges and forgiveness

Grudges can become malicious pests that can distract a plant from flourishing into a tree it was destined to be. Grudges can invite vicious cycles of revenge that transcend generations. A grudge robs a person of their ability to take opportunities in life and leaves them anxious and stunted.

Maybe, in the same vein that we have infinite potential for growth, so too do we have an infinite ability to forgive. Moreover, forgiveness does not mean removing accountability and letting the wrongdoer off the hook. Forgiveness is giving a kind of tough love and faith that a person can be better than he was before. Forgiving allows the giver to receive a greater grace and the repentant an opportunity for grace.

And when we learn to forgive ourselves, we doubly benefit: receiving grace and a new opportunity to flourish.

Matthew 18:21-19:1. How often must I forgive?

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 223: AUGUST 11, 2022]

The soulfulness of children

Children have a knack of making simple things very profound. Maybe it’s because children tend to put their everything in everything they do. The energy of a curious child cannot be dampened easily, no matter the presence of seemingly “wiser” adults.

However, the “real world” can mercilessly shove children off their feet. Innocence can turn into disillusionment; what was once soulful becomes soulless, like a robot reacting to the whims of the “real world”.

Maybe the invitation is not only to defend our children, but more importantly, the child in each of us. That innocent, curious, soulful being that is destined to be the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And sometimes, life can be much more meaningful when we design little sanctuaries where we can have a bit of a respite, giving in to childlike wonder and pleasure, crying a bit over knee bruises when we fall, but laughing heartily as we inevitably rise up again.

Like all children do.

Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 221: AUGUST 9, 2022]

Can we prepare for the unpredictable?

The past years have splashed the coldest of waters onto our foolish sleepy heads: indeed, there are unpredictable things that can catch us way off guard.

There are many resources that are out of our control; therefore, to prepare for the unpredictable means to strengthen our resolve. Personally, I think that strengthening one’s resolve means acknowledging our limits. The higher our sober cognition of our limits, the lower the chance for regrets. The lower the chances for regrets, the higher the chances of inner peace.

And maybe that’s the indication of how well we have prepared for the unpredictable: the calmness that inner peace brings us.

Luke 12:32-48. You must be prepared

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 219: AUGUST 7, 2022]

To deny one’s ego is to develop one’s self

It is tempting to let flatteries and sugarcoated words get into our heads. They boost our ego. It is also tempting to reject critiques. They hurt our ego.

Yet, our goal should not be to boost our ego but to truly develop our selves. And authentic integral development is not convenient. It can be painful, akin to athletes harshly training their bodies to improve their craft.

It is ironic that society glorifies the perks of what “success” looks like, how influencers or superstar athletes seem to earn millions seemingly overnight while living a chill life. But the really successful content creators and athletes are those who derive meaning in the grind, the “dirty work” behind the spotlight – the trainings, the endless revisions of ideas, and the discipline.

Flow, the psychology of optimum performance, shows that the time we dissolve our ego and immerse with the activity is also the time we are at our best. Indeed, to deny one’s ego is to develop one’s self.

Matthew 16:24-28. Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 217: AUGUST 5, 2022]

Persistence and “kakulitan”

Sometimes, a child’s persistence or “kakulitan” feels like a magical power.

I recall Owen and Andi, one of my nephews and nieces. Owen would tell me everytime I see him, “Have you installed Roblox? Rec Room?” I feel indifferent at first, but the persistence is effective. I install them on my phone. Haha!

Andi is fond of playing rock-papers-scissors and hide-and-seek. She’ll look at me with puppy eyes and a “paawa face”. I feel indifferent at first, but I give in. She hides, I seek. Haha!

Sometimes, we really have to persist like how children do. Minsan, okay lang din mangulit. A cycle of prayers and actions, over and over and over again. We cannot always get the results…

But at least, there won’t be any regrets. There is both peace and meaning to be found in knowing that we maximized our controllables and prayed as hard as we could; it’s just not meant to be.

The hard work is the cake, no matter the result. The positive result is just the icing.

Matthew 15:21-28. Have pity on me! | Great is your faith!

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 215: AUGUST 3, 2022]