Patch Aure

From fragments to puzzle pieces

From fragments to puzzle pieces

It’s not anymore an exaggeration to say that we’re living multidimensional lives. For each dimension or fragment, we project a part of ourselves that may be different from other contexts. We can have our work self, our family self, our friend self, and even a lover self.

Each dimension would have different demands, and sometimes (or oftentimes), this leads to us living fragmented, inconsistent, and inauthentic lives.

Our challenge: how do we turn seemingly incompatible fragments into coherent puzzle pieces that paint a more holistic and integrated picture of our best self?

It takes a continuous cycle of attentiveness to our various experiences, intellectual and emotional understanding of our tendencies, reasonableness in our assessments, and responsibility in our decisions and actions.

Matthew 5:17-37. Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-043: FEBRUARY 12, 2023]

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Generosity is the miracle

Generosity is the miracle

In a jungle-like world, a miracle is less about the multiplication of bread and fish and more about a kind of generosity that transcends our ego.

Rurouni Kenshin (Samurai X) captures the theme “survival of the fittest” especially through the redemption journey of Kenshin and the cruel philosophy of Shishio. Everything Everywhere All at Once proposes that “being kind” is a great default in an absurd and chaotic multiverse.

We cannot be blamed if our priority is to protect ourselves first because we have to survive. But the transformative miracle is when we internalize that kindness and generosity are greater than ourselves.

Sharing food may be finite, but sharing a piece of ourselves is like a gift that keeps on giving – with enough leftovers to uplift those who need our help.

Mark 8:1-10. They ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-042: FEBRUARY 11, 2023]

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Overcoming our blind spots

Overcoming our blind spots

We all have blind spots, those areas in our lives where we cannot see our own biases and limitations. They can be dangerous traps that prevent us from growing and experiencing the full range of life’s possibilities. Blind spots can be like a dense forest, where it is easy to get lost and never find our way out.

Our challenge is to be soberly self-aware, almost like having a map of the dense forest that is our minds. We can only do so by reflecting on our thoughts, actions, and behaviors until we understand our patterns, tendencies, and weaknesses.

When we have discovered our weaknesses and blind spots, it is through our faith in others and the love we receive that we can overcome our blind spots.

Mark 7:31-37. And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-041: FEBRUARY 10, 2023]

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Expanding the scope of our mission

Expanding the scope of our mission

We are not superheroes. There are so many grand challenges today that if we try solving them all alone, we either fail at doing anything at all or burn ourselves out.

It takes a lot of sober discernment to understand our limits and to know our niche. However, there could be times when we are granted a rare opportunity to go beyond our initial scope. Maybe it’s due to luck – having extra capacity at a very opportune time.

But to sustainably scale our reach, we must rely on building coalitions and designing ecosystems of support.

Mark 7:24-30. He said to her, “Let the children be fed first. For it is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” She replied and said to him, “Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s scraps.”

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-040: FEBRUARY 9, 2023]

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Moving away from insights

Moving away from insights

Deliberately moving away from insights may be like intentionally avoiding light. We are more prone to trip or fall into traps in times of darkness, but deliberately avoiding light means we relinquish the benefit of the doubt.

Innocent ignorance may be bliss, but deliberate ignore can breed malice.

Mark 7:14-23. All these evils come from within and they defile.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-039: FEBRUARY 8, 2023]

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Complying with tradition breeds hypocrisy, but imbibing tradition breeds authenticity

Complying with tradition breeds hypocrisy, but imbibing tradition breeds authenticity

When we become so attached to a particular tradition, we can quickly judge others who don’t conform to our views. Moreover, since merely complying with tradition is more convenient, we are prone to hypocritically doing things – losing our spirit and our authenticity.

To imbibe tradition, we must recognize that tradition is not only a source of knowledge and guidance but also a reflection of the accumulated wisdom and identity of those who went before us. We must ask ourselves: what values did those who came before us pass down, and how can we honor them in our lives?

Thus, complying with tradition breeds hypocrisy, but imbibing tradition breeds authenticity.

Mark 7:1-13. How well you have set aside the commandment of God in order to uphold your tradition!

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-038: FEBRUARY 7, 2023]

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Unexpecting patience, responsible hope

Unexpecting patience, responsible hope

“The two hardest tests on the spiritual road are the patience to wait for the right moment and the courage not to be disappointed with what we encounter.” – Paulo Coelho, Veronika Decides to Die

We pray petitions and other kinds of devotions, usually in hopes of a particular desire being manifested. But it is a slippery slope where hope can become expectation, and expectation can lead to disappointment and resentment.

Maybe the insight is that our patience should not be expecting and we should manage our hope responsibly. “Responsible hope” may refer to a hope that is well-grounded, realistic, and mindful of the challenges and uncertainties that come with pursuing a goal or an aspiration. Responsible hope is not about blindly expecting but being faithfully optimistic.

Mark 6:53-56. They laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-037: FEBRUARY 6, 2023]

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A light bulb does not flaunt itself but draws attention to others

A light bulb does not flaunt itself but draws attention to others

A light bulb can be a reminder that our actions can either be like a beam of light shining upon ourselves, seeking recognition and praise, or they can be a gentle glow that illuminates the world around us.

When we flaunt our good deeds, it is like a bright light shining upon us, seeking attention and admiration. But this approach, though it may bring temporary satisfaction, lacks the depth and meaning of authentic kindness. For it is not the light itself that is important, but the way it touches the hearts of others.

On the other hand, when we do good deeds humbly, it is like a light bulb that quietly illuminates the world. It is the small yet powerful gestures of kindness that truly make a lasting impact. It is not the light that is seen but the love and compassion that shines through it.

A selfish light shines so limited . Our light is the brightest when we let others show their radiance and glow.

Matthew 5:13-16. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-036: FEBRUARY 5, 2023]

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We must design rest into our work and mission

We must design rest into our work and mission

Even if we are doing purposeful work and mission (or, maybe, all the more because we’re doing purposeful work and mission), it is important to design rest and slack into our activities.

The double-edgedness of meaningful work is that it can push us to stretch ourselves, but it can also burn us out if we are not mindful of our limits.

The best way forward is to build an ecosystem of support composed of trusted teammates and mentors who interdependently support each other.

Mark 6:30-34. …“Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat…. When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them… and he began to teach them many things.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-035: FEBRUARY 4, 2023]

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How do we engage each other to grow in wisdom?

How do we engage each other to grow in wisdom?

The acquisition of any form of insight is highly contingent on one’s internal conditions. The external context could only provide triggers, but it cannot drill insights into our heads.

The challenge of our educational system’s current structure is that it is designed around the mass transfer of knowledge (transferring understanding and skillset is another matter), rather than a playground where learners can experiment and learn by doing. The transfer of knowledge is easier to measure through standardized exams and certifications. However, we cannot manipulate our learner’s “inside conditions” into being prepared to gain new insights. It is harder to predict or measure wisdom than to measure the acquisition of knowledge.

But if educators are to remain faithful to the vocation, such is the dance we must groove with – designing activities that can hopefully trigger transformative insights while balancing the different demands of a scholar-practitioner life. Challenging as it may be, we must carry on, for the music we compose, play, and dance to could be the songs of triumph our students sing as they grow wiser.

Luke 2:22-40. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-033: FEBRUARY 2, 2023]

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