Archive for Relationships

~ Single & Happy ~

oppieSingle & Happy
by Oppie Andaresta

mereka bilang aku pemilih dan kesepian
terlalu keras menjalani hidup
beribu nasehat dan petuah yang diberikan
berharap hidupku bahagia

aku baik baik saja
menikmati hidup yang aku punya
hidupku sangat sempurna
I’m single and very happy
mengejar mimpi mimpi indah
bebas lakukan yang aku suka
berteman dengan siapa saja
I’m single and very happy

mereka bilang sudah saatnya karena usia
untuk mencari sang kekasih hati
tapi kuyakin akan datang pasangan jiwaku
pada waktu dan cara yang indah

***
Dearest Mom & Dad,

you’d say I’m choosy and lonely
working too hard, living a dull life
and you’d then give me thousands of advices
wishing me to live a happy life

Yeah, I know your concerns
but I’m all right
I’m enjoying my life
my life is just perfect

I’m single and very happy
pursuing my dreams
I’m free to do whatever I like
hanging out and making friends with anybody

You’d say it’s the time to find a sweetheart
because of the age
but it’s only a matter of time
and I’m sure my soulmate will come
in God’s beautiful and perfect time

Time flies and I cannot stop it
I just wanna the best for my life
So, Mom, Dad, please don’t worry
I live my life to the fullest!

with love, your daughter

God Will Make A Way

Proverbs 3:6
“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

God Will Make A Way
~ Words and music by Don Moen ~

God will make a way,
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way.
By a roadway in the wilderness, He’ll lead me
And rivers in the desert will I see
Heaven and earth will fade
But His Word will still remain
He will do something new today.

God will make a way,
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed
that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from
anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord,
“You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life
there have only been one set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most, you have not been there for me?”

The Lord replied,
“The times when you have seen only one set of footprints in the sand,
is when I carried you.”

(Footprints in the Sand by Mary Stevenson)

Do You Still Love Me?

I was told by my mom and friends that there’s a new reality show in Indonesia. The show is called “Masihkah Kau Mencintaiku?” or in English “Do you Still Love Me?” The participants are husband and wife who have been married for years, but for some reason either the husband or wife want a divorce. The show describes the problems in the household with the goal to unite the couple. There are marriage counsel and pyscholog expert who listen to the problems and try to find the best possible solutions. Of course at the end of the show, to separate or unite will be the exclusive decision to the marriage couple.

The show makes me curious. Luckily some of the sessions were uploaded on youtube, so I gave it a watch. It turns out to be quite interesting. One of the sessions that I watched is called “A Perfect Wife for My Husband”. The case was quite unusual because the wife (Nia) asked for a divorce from her husband (Indra) not because she didn’t love him anymore. On the other hand, she loved him so much that she would let him go and ask him to marry other woman for his happiness. Nia and Indra had been married for 12 years. They had a 10 year old daughter. 3 years ago, Nia was diagnosed with cervical cancer and her uterus had to be removed. Since then she was feeling incomplete as a woman and wife. She could not do her duties as a wife to her husband. She’s in a wheelchair. She thought she was a burden to Indra and wanted him to divorce her and then got married to other (perfect) woman.

However, Indra could not accept his wife’s decision. He loved his wife so much that he just couldn’t let her go. He held his wedding oath, in health and in sickness, he would always be with her wife. He never thought of marrying other woman, let alone divorce Nia. He tried very hard to convince Nia that his love to her was never change. He would take care of her for the rest of his life. He stated clearly that he still loved Nia, regardless her condition.

The experts—marriage counsel and psycholog—asked many questions to this couple. Nia honestly admitted that her husband’s behaviours in fact never changes in the even slightest degree. He had been a devoted husband for years, being with her to undergo medical tests and treatments (including chemotherapy), never once complaining. She really loved him and wanted him to be happy. She would let him go to look for a better wife, not like her who couldn’t do her duties as a good and normal wife. Indra actually never forced her to do all those duties, including on bed duties. He knew she was in pain during their sexual intercourse and he didn’t want to make her suffer. Indra wanted his wife not to think about that, but focused on her health. The experts gave the same advice. Nia should have increased her desire to recover. She had already a loving husband and daughter who fully supported her. She wasn’t supposed to think about divorce because it didn’t make her husband happy, after all. Instead, she should never give up praying and giving her best efforts to cure the disease. The experts also reminded Indra to be consistent and comitted with his decision—to love Nia unselfishly.

It’s a touching session on the show. I like what Indra said when he tried to convince Nia: “My Dear, there’s no incurable disease, believe that God will heal. These are challenges from God that our family have to face together with strength and faithfulness.” This couple indeed share real love and understanding. They love each other unselfishly. They want to give and do the best for each other, let alone willing to sacrifice their own needs for their partner’s happiness. I learn something from the show. And I hope when I get married, I can stick to my wedding oath…. to have and to hold, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health…

Polygamy, should it be legalized?

polygamyRecently, an Australian Islamic leader has announced that polygamous marriages should be legalized by the Australian government. Keysar Trad from the Islamic Friendship Association of Australia said that polygamous relationships should be recognized to make things safer for Muslim women.

He said, “If this woman has wilfully chosen to enter into this relationship and make a lifelong commitment to this person to be married, it shouldn’t matter.”

It would protect the woman as the man would not have any reason not to marry her just because of “I can’t marry you since I’m already married to another woman or “I can’t take you as my wife because I’m not allowed to take a second wife.”

He added that it would not be acceptable for women to take more than one husband but it should be acceptable for men to take more than one wife.

Those who support the practice of polygamy argued that it should be legally valid in order to reduce the number of affairs and men who visit prostitutes because “they do it anyway”

Well, I don’t agree with this polygamy issue. Having more than one spouse does not guarantee fidelity. If you take one wife and you think you will be satisfied when you take a second wife, it is nonsense! You will be tempted to take a third or more wives.

And what kind of protection given to women? Who would want to share her husband with another woman? Is there any woman who willingly accept the fact that her husband is sharing a bed with other women?
Legalizing polygamy won’t make things better. It could even increase infidelity.

Every woman is dreaming to have a one woman man. And every man is eager to have a one man woman as well. It satisfies God’s law on marriage: one husband, for one wife, for life.
I’m not sure about the practice in other religions, but based on Catholic teachings, I don’t support polygamy.

The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” [Genesis 2:18]

“Each man should have his own wife (singular word), and each woman her own husband (singular word) [I Corinthians 7:2]

“that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” [Matthew 19:4-6 and Genesis 2:24]

God defines marriage as a man leaving his father and mother and uniting to his wife, so when a man first marries a woman, he leaves his parent’s authority. Once he leaves the household, he cannot leave the household twice! If he does so, it will be against the Bible passage.

When two people are married they are tied together for life; they are bound together until death parts them [Matthew 19:5-6]. Marriage is binding until one of the persons involved dies [1 Cor 7:39]

“For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband.” [Romans 7:2-3]

“And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.” [Matthew 19:9]

Therefore, God gives us only two circumstances where a man can marry another woman: (1) if his wife dies or (2) if his wife commits adultery.

It is obvious that Catholic marriages is permanent and exclusive (monogamous). In addition, having more than one wife won’t solve any problems, instead it will definately add more problems: more wives, more troubles which might lead to a disaster.   

Don’t risk your household!

For those reasons, I won’t support polygamous marriages to be legalized in Australia, Indonesia or any other countries.

Mamma Mia the Movie!

Finally I got a chance to watch Mamma Mia the Movie! Not only once but three times at the cinema! Yeah, true! I went to Mamma Mia movie premiere in Indo with my parents, then a week later I accompanied my close friends to watch Mamma Mia for the second time, and the following week I happened to watch the same movie with my sister and her boyfriend. I just cannot get enough of watching it. I mean it’s so amusing and entertaining with all those singing and dancing things. The actors and actresses are great! Meryl Streep is outstanding! Not only can she act but also she has such a beautiful voice. She’s not young anymore but it’s still interesting to watch her on the movie. Well, Pierce Brosnan is as charming as usual (Go Mr Bond!) Frankly I think he’s not very good at singing but he’s a good actor (that’s why he’s not a singer but an actor, rite?). The young stars (Amanda Seyfried and Dominic Cooper) are both good-looking and talented. And the rest of the casts, i.e. the companions of Streep and Brosnan are just hillarious and enjoyable to watch, I especially love the (almost) ending of the movie–so funny! Julie Walters rocks! All the great ABBA songs are just fit on the movie. Here’s some sneak peek taken from Blitz megaplex cinema.       

From ‘Dancing Queen’, through ‘SOS’ and ‘Supertrouper’, all the way to ‘Take A Chance On Me’, Mamma Mia! employs the hit songs of famed pop group ABBA to tell the story of Sophie Sheridan (Amanda Seyfried), a young girl who hopes to discover the identity of her father. On the eve of her wedding to Sky (Dominic Cooper), she brings three men, Sam Carmichael (Pierce Brosnan), Bill Austin (Stellan Skarsgård) and Harry Bright (Colin Firth), from her mother Donna’s (Meryl Streep) past back to the Greek island they visited over two decades ago.

 

 

3 Special Persons in Your Love Life

Do you know that during your love journey you’re gonna meet 3 special persons? The first person is somebody you really care of but unfortunately he/she doesn’t love you as much as you do. The second one is someone who does love and adore you but unfortunately you don’t love/adore him/her as much as he/she does. You’ll naturally recognize the second person because you’d have experienced how to love someone that much (perhaps tooooo much till it hurts) And the last person is somebody you’re gonna marry. He/she is not somebody you’re really in love head over heels but he/she happens to be in the right time and place. And vice versa, you’re not somebody he/she is really crazy for, but you happen to be in the right time and place for him/her.

That person is not the perfect man/woman you’ve been dreaming of and you’re not the perfect one that person has been longing for BUT both of you’d have learnt from the past and been ready to commit with the other person even though you’re aware of each other’s weaknesses, but still you choose to love and to be faithful with that person. And I think that’s the beautiful thing of love: the decision to accept and love your partner the way he/she is and that what makes two “unperfect” persons become perfect.

Love is not selfish. When you’ve made up your mind to love someone, you’ll definately want to give him/her the best of you. And when 2 people are willing to give the best of them to each other, everything will seem beautiful and just perfect.

I’ll say that those 3 persons will make you laugh, cry, happy, upset, excited, insane, feel ups and downs, but their existance in your love life will shape your characters, most probably will make you tougher and wiser, and that’s why they’re so special.

Meet Brother Bo

Last weekend I got an opportunity to meet and greet one of my fave authors, Bo Sanchez. He’s a Filipino Catholic preacher who has written best-selling books such as “You Can Make Your Life Beautiful”, “You Have the Power to Create Love”, “How to Find Your One True Love”, “Your Past Does Not Define Your Future”—which I’ve already owned all—and many other inspirational books. Brother Bo (it’s his nick name) encouraged us to write and read our dreams everyday because he believed in the power of dreams. He has proved it personally; he has achieved all of his dreams that he wrote and read every single day years ago. As a person, he’s humble and has a great sense of humour. He frankly said that he’s not a holy person; he has many weaknesses and he used to have a dark past, but he sincerely admitted it. That’s what I like about him. His humility and honesty touch me and many other readers who have read his books. Thanks bro Bo, we’ve been blessed and inspired by your writings :) )

lucky to get his autograph and pic with me

Finally here’s some of his writings—really interesting to read—I think.

SAY “NO” TO TOXIC PEOPLE AND SAY “YES” TO TERRIFIC PEOPLE

As a teen, I was part of a tiny Catholic youth group.

In that group, I was called “St. Francis” because I loved Lady Poverty, wore the crummiest shirts, the most horrid brown sandals, and prayed in the chapel the whole day. (Actually, I slept most of the time, but that’s just a secret between you and me).

One of my friends was called “Brother Leo” because he imitated me, the way the real Brother Leo imitated his master, St. Francis.

If I prayed in a particular way—with my eyes closed, my hands clasped, my head bent down and tilted to the left—he’d pray in the same way.

If I wore an ugly shirt because of my love for poverty, he’d wear the same thing.

Because I was good-looking, he’d try to be good-looking. (Haha)

One day, his family left for the US for good, and we lost touch…

Six years later, he returned for a visit. The old youth group was excited to have a little reunion. So we met up with “Brother Leo” again.

When I saw him at the reunion, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Nor could anyone in the room. Brother Leo was wearing a loud purple shirt with a gold band around his neck. And in thick slang, he greeted us, “Hey Dude!”

That wasn’t so bad.

While all of us were picking up our jaws from the floor, he said, “Let’s go out and look for a real parteeeh. Let’s look for some chicks! Man, I love girls!”

The transformation was unbelievable.

Where was the prayerful, quiet, humble, pure guy that we knew?

Here’s what I learned from life: We need to deliberately shape our outer world before it shapes us.

What Are The Two Most Powerful Forces
That Shape Your Life?

It was Charlie “Tremendous” Jones who said that You will be in five years the sum total of the books you read and the people you are around.

I believe the two most powerful forces that shape our life are our relationships and our media. I repeat: If you know that your outer world shapes you, make a decision now to shape your outer world. Because you can!

Here’s a story of someone who didn’t use this power…

The Story Of A Wise King
That Wasn’t So Wise After All

The Guinness Book of World Records says that no one beats King Solomon when it comes to wives. The guy had 700 wives with 300 concubines.

Believe me, I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes on Valentines Day. The chaos! While walking around his palace, he’d say to one, “I love you Leah,”; And to another, “I love you Rachael,”; And to another still, “I love you… uh, Melissa or Melanie?”

Here’s what the Bible says: King Solomon loved many foreign women… They were from nations about which the Lord had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods.” Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love. (How many of you know that just because you’re romantically in love with someone DOESN’T mean that you’re supposed to be with that person?) As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God…[1]

The wisest man on Earth didn’t choose his relationships well.

If you don’t want to commit his mistake, let me share with you 3 powerful steps to create your outer world.

The 3 Powerful Steps To Re-Create
Your Outer World

I guarantee you. If you do these 3 steps, you’ll not only be free from enslaving habits, you’ll actually grow yourself and fulfil your greatest dreams.

Step #1: Say No to Toxic People

Step #2: Say Yes to Terrific People

Step #3: Control Your Media

Let me explain these steps one by one…

Step #1:
Say No to Toxic People

There are many types of Toxic Persons, but let me focus on 6 types that you should avoid:
Toxic Person #1: Those who encourage your addiction
Toxic Person #2: Those who constantly hurt you
Toxic Person #3: Those who control you through force
Toxic Person #4: Those who control you through manipulation
Toxic Person #5: Those who pass their responsibilities to you
Toxic Person #6: Those who whine about life and invalidate you

Do you have Toxic People in your life? God says, Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.[2]

Let’s heed those wise words!

Let’s find out if you have Toxic People in your life…

Toxic Person #1:
Those Who Encourage Your Addiction

You know this story very well because it happens too often.

My friend “Jim” was a drug addict. He entered a rehab for a year. In that entire year, Jim didn’t touch the drug. He went back home a new man.

Not a few days after, an old friend who used to take drugs with Jim visited him at home and offered him shabu. Jim said no, “I don’t take that anymore.” But as the days progressed, he kept on meeting his old friends. After only three months, Jim snorted shabu again—and his addiction was more severe than before.

Question: What caused his downfall?

Answer: He shaped his inner world, but he didn’t shape his outer world.

He needed a new set of friends. He needed a new itinerary. He also needed new hobbies, new music, new activities…

It’s pretty obvious. If you’re an alcoholic, stop hanging out with friends who drink. Hang out with new friends who don’t. If you’re a gambler, cut friendships with other gamblers. Hang out with people who don’t gamble. And so on.

Many people don’t use their power to choose their friends. They just accept the people who call up, visit, and appear on their doorstep.

Big mistake. Don’t do that. Jesus says If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.[3]

Go out and choose the kind of people you like to become. (More on this later.)

Toxic Person #2:
Those Who Constantly Hurt You

Do you avoid danger?

If you see a rabid Doberman, foaming in the mouth, sharp fangs exposed, racing towards you at top speed, would you run away as fast as Flash? Or would you stand there with a smile, stretch out your hand and say, “Here kitty, kitty…”

I bet you’d run faster than you ever did in your entire life.

Unless you have a death wish.

The Wise Book says a prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple (foolish) keep going and suffer for it.[4]

Here’s a sad fact. After my years of counseling hordes of people, I’ve realized many have a death wish when it comes to choosing their boyfriends, girlfriends, husbands, wives, business partners, spiritual leaders, organizations, and friends.

Because they choose abusers.

They get physically abused. Verbally abused. Emotionally abused. Spiritually abused.

And after an abusive relationship breaks up, they jump into another abusive relationship. Insane, I tell you. But after 27 years in ministry, it’s more common than you think.

I have only one explanation for this crazy phenomenon: Victims like being victims. Why? Perhaps because they want to pay for their sins. Or perhaps they feel they deserve the punishment. Or perhaps they feel superior to the abuser. Or perhaps that’s how they get the empathy from other people.

But this is sick.

Let me shout this to the rooftops: Get rid of all abusers in you life!

Don’t Just Stand There—Do Something!

If your spouse is an abuser, get away as far as possible from him or her. I’m not saying get a divorce right away. But don’t live in the same house with an abuser until the person gets help and gets healed.

If your boyfriend or girlfriend is an abuser, what are you doing still sticking with that person? You should have left the first time abuse took place.

If your organization, fraternity, club, prayer group, or church demeans you, manipulates you, drains you, abuses you—why are you still there? Look for a group that blesses you and nourishes you.

If your business partner steals from you, cheats on you, or disrespects you—get out, sell out, and find another business partner.

Remember: When you’re with an abuser, you create more inner pain, and inner pain can produce more hidden addictions.

Jesus says, Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.[5] You are sacred. You are the pearls. So don’t throw yourself to dogs and pigs.
Some people however may not be obviously abusers, but they abuse you in a less obvious way…

Toxic Person #3:
Those Who Control You Through Force

There are people who control you through subtle aggression. They intimidate you. They’re bigger. They’re louder. They’re scary. They’re bullies in nice clothes.

The Controller could be your husband. Or your grandmother. Or your friend. Or your boss.

Let me tell you a story I read recently…

One day, a young guy was walking on a dark street. Suddenly, out of an Acacia tree, an old man wrapped in a black robe appeared. His eyes were fierce, his face pale, his beard unkempt. He pushed a black book towards the young man and ordered, “You need to read this book! Buy it for P700.”

The young man was shocked and mumbled, “I don’t have P700…”

But the elderly man spoke with a louder voice, “You need to read this book! Give me P700.” So with shaking hands, the lad fumbled with his wallet and handed P700 to him. The mysterious man placed the black book in the chap’s hand and said, “Whatever you do, never look at the last page. Or you will regret it.” He then walked towards the field behind them and suddenly disappeared!

The young man went home, shaken to the core. In the evening, he started reading the book. It was all about ghosts and werewolves and vampires! After awhile, he grew tired, closed the book and went to bed.

But he couldn’t sleep. Tossing and turning, the young man could only think of one thing: What was on the last page of the book? What will I regret seeing there?

Finally, he couldn’t take the suspense any longer. With every ounce of courage he could muster, he grabbed the black book. With trembling fingers, he opened it to the last page…

And when he saw it, at once, waves of regret filled him!

The last page was empty.

Except for a small note that said, “P49.50, National Bookstore.”

Friend, never get intimidated to do what you don’t want to do.

Because often, you’ll get robbed.

Toxic Person #4:
Those Who Control You Through Manipulation

There is another kind of Controller that doesn’t do it through aggression but through manipulation. In an even more subtle way, they will control you.

My example is Delilah, the girlfriend of Samson.

The Bible says Samson loved Delilah. But it doesn’t say that Delilah loved Samson. Instead, Delilah used Samson. Delilah needed Samson. (When will we realize that need is different from love?) As you read the story, you realize that Delilah never loved Samson at all.

Remember, “Controllers” are “Users”, and Delilah was a Controller. (Do you know of any “Users” in your life?)

One day, Delilah was approached by her Philistine leaders. They wanted to capture Samson but couldn’t because of his magical strength. So they offered her 1,100 Shekels from each of them if she could discover the secret of his supernatural strength.

So she went to Samson and asked, “How can anyone capture you?”

First, he lied. Samson said, “If you tie me with brand new ropes, I’ll be as weak as any man.” And while he slept, Delilah tied him up with brand new ropes and called the soldiers of the Philistine leaders to capture him. But like snapping thread, Samson broke free from the ropes and chased after the men.

Wasn’t that enough proof for Delilah’s deception?

If I were Samson, I would simply have said to her, “Delilah, you’re a snake. You don’t love me. This relationship is over. Get out of my life!”

But Samson didn’t do it. He tolerated her. And so Delilah sat on the lap of Samson and with a pout and a hurt look, she said, “You don’t love me, Samson…” (Her finger probably toying with his hair.)

“But I do!” Samson said defensively.

“No, you don’t,” she purred, “You lied to me. You haven’t told me the secret of your strength.” (Controllers like turning the table and pointing your mistakes, while hiding their glaring mistakes.)
Finally, out of exasperation, Samson says, “Okay, okay! Cut my hair and I’ll be as weak as any man.”[6] And while he slept, Delilah cut his hair. We know the end of the story. Samson was captured, his eyes gouged out, and he was imprisoned until he died while pushing two pillars.

Because Samson loved Delilah, he was desperate to believe in the lie that she also loved him. But she didn’t.

Who are the Delilahs in your life?

Here’s the truth: Samson may have been romantically attracted to Delilah, but he really didn’t love her. If he really loved her, he would have told her off and shooed her away. That was the kind of love she needed.

Toxic Person #5:
Those Who Pass Their Responsibilities To You

One day, a woman was chatting with her neighbor.

“I feel really good today. I started out this morning with an act of unselfish generosity. I gave a five hundred Peso bill to a bum.”

“Wow, you gave a bum five hundred Pesos?” her neighbor asked, “My gosh, that’s a lot of money. What did your husband say about it?”

“Oh, he thought it was the proper thing to do,” she said, “my husband said, ‘Thanks.’”

Many people are just like that woman. They have bums in their lives, and these bums are friends and family.

In other words, they are hosts to parasites.

Remember: In biology, parasites can’t exist without a host. So the reason there are parasites is because there are people who like to play the role of host.

Are you a host to a human parasite? Someone who depends on you for money? Or for housing? Or for your service?

The human parasite isn’t a quadriplegic lying down in bed with a feeding tube stuck to his throat. The parasite is an otherwise healthy human being that simply wants you to be responsible for his life, period. He doesn’t want to take responsibility for his own life. He looks to you for his sole salvation. If you don’t help him, he’ll die.

Deep inside, you feel used. You really want to say “No more!” but you can’t because you feel guilty. In the process, you have lost your boundaries. When you do, there is so much inner pain within, and you escape through your hidden addictions.

Bad news: You think you’re doing good, but you really aren’t.

There’s A Difference Between
Feeling Good And Doing Good

Giving to a parasite makes you feel good.

But that doesn’t make it good. (Yep, there’s a difference.)

It assuages your guilt. But in fact, you’re causing more harm than good. You’re really a thief. You’re stealing their self-worth. More than that, when you take away the bad consequences of their irresponsibility through your constant rescuing, you take away the fuel that would have forced them to change.

Some justify helping a parasite by quoting Galatians 6:2 when St. Paul says, “Carry each other burdens…” But 3 verses later, St. Paul also says, “Each one should carry his own load.” That means if a parasite asks for your help, the best way to help him is to say ‘No’.

I give a lot. Dole outs are fine when there’s a real emergency. But I stop giving when his daily life becomes an emergency. Because most of my giving is focused on teaching people how to fish, not just giving fish. I give when I know the person will learn how to stand on his own two feet one day.

Finally, there’s a last type of Toxic Person you need to avoid…

Toxic Person #6:
Those Who Whine About Life and Invalidate You

There are people who are constantly negative—and they suck your energy dry. Believe me, after talking with them, you feel as though the sky is darker, the world is uglier, and life is more miserable than ever.

Whiners complain about everything. The heat. The cold. The boss. The money. The government. On and on and on. It never stops.

Whiners are bad, but invalidators are worse. Invalidators are whiners too, but instead of just criticizing the world, they specialize in criticizing you. When you mention a plan, a dream, or an original idea, you’ll hear an invalidator say, “You? Do that?” He’ll roll up his eyes, shake his head, and smirk. These pompous know-it-alls believe they know you and your future more than God. Before an invalidator, you’ll always remain small. Size up the invalidator’s “friends”, and you’ll discover other “small” people who bow down to his majesty.

Whiners will steal away your joy. Invalidators will steal away your dreams. If you don’t watch out, they’ll infect you with their virus and you’ll become a professional cynic like them.

Whiners and invalidators are losers. If your friends are losers, get a new set of friends. I’m not saying that you dump them. God wants you to love them. But you don’t have to hangout with them. Instead, hangout with people who respect you. And people who inspire you. And people who put their energies to build up rather than destroy. And people of life and beauty and love.

By The Way, Are You The Toxic Person?

Avoiding toxic people is difficult.

Avoiding being the toxic person is even more difficult.

What if you’re the abuser, or controller, or manipulator, or parasite, or whiner, or invalidator?

Ask people close by for their honest feedback.

If they say, “Yes,” own up to your behavior, quick. And get to work!

(What you’ll do is beyond the scope of this article, but I hope to discuss that another time.)

Step #2:
Say Yes to Terrific People

What is shaping you now?

The Good Book says, Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.[7] If you’re with terrific people, then these terrific people are sharpening you….
Terrific Person #1: Those Who Nourish You Emotionally
Terrific Person #2: Those Who Nourish You Spiritually
Terrific Person #3: Those Who Nourish You Intellectually
Terrific Person #4: Spend Time With God, Who Else?

Terrific Person #1:
Those Who Nourish You Emotionally

There are really only two types of great people in this world.

The first type of great person: After talking to him, you walk out impressed at how great that person is. You are dwarfed by his greatness.

Here’s the second type of great person: After talking to him, you walk out impressed at how great you are. You walk out a giant yourself—as big or even bigger than that great person.

Hang out with the second type of great person.

Hang out with people who make you feel important, respected, and worthy.

One of my mentors has a powerful way of making me feel important.

He’s a true blue, genuine Billionaire. But he treats me like I was more important than he is. It’s the small things that he does that make me leave his presence believing I’m special. The way he listens to me. The way he respects my opinion. The way he doesn’t laugh at my silly questions. Even common sense courtesy and respect. For example, after our meeting in his office, he’ll walk with me to my car. He won’t leave me until he knows I’m in my car and ready to go. Small things that tell me I’m a great man.

Look for people like that.

Terrific Person #2:
Those Who Nourish You Spiritually

You’re a soul with a temporary earthly existence.

Thus, your most important need is to be spiritually nourished.

That’s why I preach at the FEAST every Sunday. (Join us at Ballroom at Valle Verde Country Club, beside ULTRA, every 7:30am or 10:00am, whichever you prefer.) I believe that many people are spiritually malnourished and they need God’s Word in their lives.

But more than knowledge, a spiritual leader should feed you with God’s love.

How? By his own love for you.

He doesn’t teach you because of pride. He teaches you because of love.

That’s where I want to grow—and boy do I have a long way to go.

When a spiritual leader believes he’s better, holier, and more righteous than anyone else in church, be wary. A good spiritual leader knows his faults and acknowledges them before everyone.

Look for your source of regularly spiritual nourishment.

Terrific Person #3:
Those Who Nourish You Intellectually

Do you have dreams?

Who are the people in the world that have already fulfilled your dream?

Hang out with them—and pick their brains.

Listen to their talks. Read their books. Attend their seminars.

There are two kinds of teachers. The first kind of teacher has a lot of book knowledge and nothing else. The second type of teacher has experiential knowledge, with mud on her shoes, blisters on her hands, and scars in her heart. She’s someone who teaches from her battlefield experience. Look for the second type of teacher.

For example, if I want to grow my organization, Light of Jesus, to the next level, I had to search for the second type of teacher: Those who actually built huge organizations.

So one day, I visited Bro. Mike Velarde of El Shaddai to learn from him. Bro. Mike and I may have different styles and beliefs (and different fashion tastes too), but as an organizer, no one can match his ability to gather one million people in Luneta. Bro. Mike has been so kind and gracious to me, sharing his vast experience. You may not like his red barong, but if you can build an organization as big as El Shaddai (probably 8 million members),I guess you can wear any kind of barong you want.

And would you believe? I’m also learning church-building strategies from Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, now heading 3-million members in only 22 short years. I don’t agree with his theology. When we’re together, my Bishop friends and I debate with him about his doctrines. (We regularly meet because we’re all members of the Presidential Council for Values Formation under Malacanang, working for the country.) But that doesn’t stop me from admiring Pastor Apollo’s excellent leadership skills. So when we meet, aside from theological debate, I sit down with him and learn his church-building strategies. Pastor Apollo has been very gracious to me too, and I’ve learned a lot in the area of church growth.

I also have financial mentors who are millionaires and billionaires.

I have family mentors who have great marriages and are fantastic parents.

I have spiritual mentors who live with profound love and holiness and inspire me to do the same.

Go and get terrific people in your life.

Don’t Get Derailed When Your
Old Friends Become Jealous

I’ve expanded my inner circle of friends.

Sometimes, my old inner circle becomes jealous. They say in Taglish, “Bo, others ka na.” They say that I have replaced them.

No, I have not. I’ve not replaced my inner circle, I’ve just expanded it.

My inner circle now includes leaders, preachers, businessmen, real estate investors, bishops, computer gurus, marketing experts, educators, authors, etc.

In fact, if you want to keep on growing, you’ve got to keep growing your inner circle of friends. There’s no other way.

One last thing: Check the net-worth of the people you hangout with. Most likely, you’ll mirror each other’s average income. If you want an increase in your income, hangout with people who earn, save, invest, and give more than you do. Learn from them! (Let me pitch my seminar this November 3, 2007, How to Be Truly Rich Seminar. For more details, call Beckie at Tel. (632) 7229562. Learn how to be financially free! I urge you call now before you run out of seats—because we always have to reject applicants for lack of space.)

Terrific Person #4:
Spend Time With God, Who Else?

Need I say more?

Jesus was committed to daily prayer: And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he (Jesus) went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.[8]

But here’s the problem: Many people don’t worship God, but a caricature of God.

If you really examine their God, He’s cruel, legalistic, insecure, and tyrannical.

We need to change our image of God, because we become exactly like the God we worship. In the end, we too will become cruel, legalistic, insecure, and tyrannical. (Have you ever wondered why many religious people are poor reflections of the love of God? This is the reason.)

We’ll discuss more of this in another article very soon.

Step #3:
Control Your Media

Remember the two powerful forces that shape your life.

First are relationships.

Second is media.

Like relationships, say “No” to toxic media and say “Yes” to terrific media.

When it comes to media, remember one very important thing: You have very limited time. Bill Gates, the richest man in the world, has exactly the same amount of hours a beggar has. When it comes to time, we’re all equal.

So if you watch dumb, useless, mindless, inane TV shows like those broadcasted today, you’re throwing away precious time—and money. Time that you should have used for more inspiring media.

People wonder why there’s no growth in their life.

One probable answer: Because they waste so much time in front of the TV set. Noonday shows. Showbiz gossip. Telenovelas.

I urge you to read inspiring books instead. Or watch great movies. Or listen to terrific talks. If you want to grow, control your media.

Conclusion:
Are You The Good Samaritan?

I know.

The most controversial part in this article is saying “No” to Toxic People.

But let me insist that one of the reasons why we have hidden addictions is because we’re escaping from the inner pain of having no personal boundaries. We keep on saying yes to toxic people, we’re actually losing control of our lives. This lost of control is maddening and subconsciously drives us to where we seemingly feel have control—our hidden addiction. When we drink, or smoke, or lust, or shop constantly, or eat compulsively, or become religiously addicted, we feel some semblance of control. (Obviously, it’s fake. We really have no control over this area as well.)

Friend, you need to set boundaries. Or the world will conquer you.

If you grew up listening to sermons about the Good Samaritan[9] in Church , you were trained to help people and feel guilty when you don’t.

Remember the story? A guy was robbed and left dying on the road. A Priest and a Teacher of the Law passed by and didn’t bother to stop. The Samaritan however stopped, bandaged his wounds, took him in an inn, and paid for all his expenses.

Wow, what a loving man.

But we usually take for granted a very important part of that story: After helping the wounded man, the Good Samaritan actually left him with the inn keeper because he had to take care of his own business! He didn’t forget his own life! How could he keep on helping if he doesn’t keep earning from his business?

Here’s another lesson: The Good Samaritan also asked help from others–the innkeeper. Because you don’t help alone. You’re not superman.

Friend, be the Good Samaritan.

Because the Good Samaritan didn’t love others only.

He also loved himself.

My friend, if you want to create a new inner world, you need to create a new outer world. Jesus said, And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; if he does, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost, and so are the skins; but new wine is for fresh skins.

God is giving you new wine for your life.

Make new wineskins!

I remain your friend,
Bo Sanchez

———— ——— ——— —

[1] 1 Kings 11:1-6
[2] Psalms 1:1
[3] Matthew 5:29
[4] Proverbs 22:3
[5] Matthew 7:6
[6] Judges 16:15
[7] Proverbs 27:17
[8] Mark 1:35
[9] Mark 2:20

———— ——— ——— —

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